WASHINGTON —AP- The Senate late Thursday passed 65-27 an energy bill that imposes an average 35-mpg fuel efficiency standard for cars and sport-utility-vehicles by 2020.
A key compromise late Thursday cleared the way for new fuel efficiency standards for cars, trucks and SUVs — the first of its kind in U.S. history. The agreement orders automakers to achieve an average fuel economy standard by 2020 of 35 mpg while including mpg ratings for less-fuel-efficient light trucks and SUVs. The current fuel standard is 27.5 mpg for cars and 22.2 mpg for light-trucks and SUVs.
The problems with this, of course are numerous, not least of which the physics of the whole thing. There is no way that we are going to be able to avoid having to buy the little tin cans that the left has been trying to force us into for the last decade and longer. More, such standards would force us into paying upwards of $4,000.00 more for each vehicle. So the consumer pays more, and gets less… gee what a good idea. Let’s make it into law.
It gets even worse. The last time CAFE standards were so altered, it resulted in an additional 2600 fatal accidents on our highways, as a result of downsizing and down waiting the standard automobile. Sounds kinda like “Blood for Oil” doesn’t it? Indeed, that problem is precisely why Americans moved from cars to trucks. ….. Congress decides to march off on its own, regardless of what the American people really want.
If you ask me now, I will tell you, that this bill will not pass, and we’re not going to see CAFE standards altered this year. I mention this, only because I want to show you what the democrats have in store for us.
As for whether not the Democrats are willing to abide by their own rules, I’d like it look at something very closely. This is a picture out of today’s Roll Call, on page three.
The caption is a little blurry so I’ll read it to you;
Senate majority leader Harry Reid walks from his Chevrolet Suburban (left) to attend a news conference on energy efficiency Wednesday Upper Senate park. Reid rode in the sport utility vehicle from the capital to the event, which was across the street.
Are you getting the picture, yet, America?
Addendum: (David L) Dirty Harry on the Senate energy bill via Allah Pundit, Hot Air:
“They can take their rubber stamp and you know what they can do with it,” Reid said Friday. “We’re going to continue to do what we think is right for the American people.”
So why fer is it Dirty Harry that while driving a thirty-five mile per gallon Yugo is some how “right” for the American People, it not right for you?
Tags: BitsBlog
June 22nd, 2007 at 17:01
Bit, good news, great minds think alike. Bad news, so do ours. While I was out walking, and you posting this article, I had a brain storm. The way to end the insanity that is CAFE is to make Congress adhere to them. That all Congressmen and congresssional staff can only travel in vehicle that get the CAFE standard, or better. Propose this as a amendment to every bill until it enacted into law.