Making SUVs More Fuel Efficient

A bipartisan Senate group aims to set higher fuel standards for sport utility vehicles. The legislation, introduced by Democratic Senators, Diane Feinstein of California, Charles Schumer of New York, and Republican Senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins of Maine, strives to overturn a loophole in a 1975 law that allows sport utilityvehicles to qualify as agricultural and commercial transportationvehicles that have lower fuel standards. If passed, the legislation could cut U.S. oil use by 1.5 million barrels per day. According to a study conducted by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), after 40 years the stricter standards would save at least 10 times the amount of crude oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. It would also reduce .S. dependency on foreign oil. The legislation comes in the face of ice President Dick heney's announcement that the U.S. national energy plan houldemphasize accruing more oil and natural as rather than legislating onservation efforts.

Thanks to California 2000 Project