Fuel economy

April 29, 2008 -- Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell today directed all Executive Branch agencies to immediately begin cutting back on the use of state-owned vehicles, saying the staggering increases in the price of gasoline that are forcing Connecticut families to cut back on their driving are having the same impact on state government.

Toyota Camry mileage: Photo by Ted Kau (CC)    » read more »

April 22, 2008 -- Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi released the following statement on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s announcement today of an aggressive fuel economy proposal that will serve as the first critical step toward implementing the historic energy bill passed by Congress last December:

“Today, the Bush Administration should be commended for taking a critical first step in implementing the first legislated increase in CAFE standards in 32 years, as enacted in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. The proposed standard, which would reach 31.6 miles per gallon by 2015, will save consumers money at the pump, reduce our dangerous dependence on imported oil and reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.    » read more »

Schwarzenegger praises Massachusetts for adopting California’s approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from transportation fuel, based on Task Force recommendation

April 23, 2008 -- BOSTON – Wednesday, April 23, 2008 – Seizing an opportunity to make Massachusetts a national leader in alternative fuels and clean energy policy, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, Senate President Therese Murray and House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi today announced their support for developing a Low Carbon Fuel Standard, which would set limits on greenhouse gas emissions without mandating the use of specific technology or fuels, and encouraging neighboring states in the Northeast to do the same.    » read more »

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April 22, 2008 -- LOS ANGELES -- California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today attacked the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s new fuel economy rules, calling them “a covert assault” on California’s landmark tailpipe greenhouse gas regulations.

Old car exhausts: Photo by frumbert (CC)

“This fuel economy plan, while attractive on the surface, is a shameful and unlawful assault on California’s landmark vehicle emissions standards,” Attorney General Brown said.    » read more »

Calls Announcement an “Historic Shift”

April 22, 2008 -- Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today praised the Administration’s proposed rule-making to increase interim fuel economy standards to 31.6 miles per gallon by 2015.

Car traffic in Los Angeles: Photo by Simon Bisson (CC)    » read more »

New Survey shows Dramatic Increase in “Great Concern” over Gas Prices and Middle East Imports; New Quarterly Report Shows Rising Gas Prices Not Enough to Suppress Oil Consumption

April 21, 2008 -- Washington, D.C. -- Today, the Consumer Federation of America (CFA) released its first quarterly report tracking U.S. gasoline consumption, expenditures, oil imports and consumer attitudes as part of the organization’s ongoing effort to decrease the nation’s consumption of oil.

Sunset over oil derricks: Galveston, Texas. Photo by Alex Watson (CC)    » read more »

At $3.50 a Gallon, Typical Savings Can Be Up to 35 cents a Gallon

Americans can take steps to reduce the nation's oil import dependence by maintaining their vehicles and driving them more economically. Below are CFA's top ten gas-saving tips with savings updated for April 2008 gas prices.

Toyota Prius gas mileage indicator: Photo by Andrew Huff (CC)

1. Check Your Air Filter: A clean air filter can improve gas mileage by as much as 10%, and nearly one in four cars needs an air filter replacement. Changing a dirty air filter can save the equivalent of 35 cents a gallon or carry you 23 more miles on a typical tank of gas.    » read more »

Proper Implementation Could Mean A 50+ MPG Fleet Average By 2030, According To UCS Analysis

WASHINGTON -- April 18, 2008 -- The federal agency writing regulations for vehicle fuel economy standards could lay the groundwork for a new vehicle fleetwide average of more than 50 miles per gallon by 2030, according to a new report from the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS).

Old gasoline sign: Photo by Tim Morgan (CC)

The regulations mark the first phase of implementing new standards passed by Congress in the energy bill last December.    » read more »

Air Resources Board Should Require 379,000 Zero-Emission Vehicles by 2020, Science Group Says

BERKELEY (March 25, 2008)—The staff of the California Air Resources Board (CARB) has submitted a proposal that would significantly weaken the state's Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) program. If adopted by the board, this plan would make it more difficult for California to meet its goal of cutting global warming pollution 80 percent by 2050, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS). CARB could make its decision as early as this Thursday. The agency last modified the program in 2003.    » read more »

Which Automakers Will Deliver Cleaner Cars?

January 11, 2008 -- The upcoming North American International Auto Show in Detroit will be the first major auto show since new fuel economy standards were signed into law, and automakers will be jockeying to "out-green" their competition. A number of companies are running ad campaigns touting their fuel-efficient fleets, and many are expected to roll out the green carpet next week in the Motor City.    » read more »

January 3, 2008 -- The Energy Information Administration (EIA) will be updating recently released projections of U.S. energy demand and supply through 2030 to reflect the provisions of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, which was signed into law on December 19, 2007. Specifically, the Annual Energy Outlook 2008 (AEO2008) reference case, which is often used as the baseline for analyses of proposed policy changes and had originally reflected existing laws and policies as of October 2007, will be revised to reflect the estimated impacts of this new law on future energy use.    » read more »

Virginia Senator Criticizes Republican Protection of Big Oil

December 14, 2007 -- Washington, DC – Senator Jim Webb today said that last night’s passage of the Energy Independence and Security Act will stimulate our domestic economy, increase national security by making the United States more energy self-reliant, and improve environmental standards. The bill now goes to the House for final passage and then onto the President to sign into law.    » read more »

12/05/2007

Amendment Modeled after California’s Policy

California Governor Schwarzenegger issued the following statement today after the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee adopted the amendment by Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) to establish a National Low Carbon Fuel Standard (NLCFS).    » read more »

Urges Congress to Agree to Strong Renewable Fuel and Electricity Standards Too

December 3, 2007 -- The Consumer Federation of America (CFA) today applauded a breakthrough agreement reached by Congressional negotiators to increase vehicle fuel economy standards by 40 percent to 35 miles per gallon by 2020. The House of Representatives is expected to pass energy legislation with this new requirement this week. The Senate passed a similar mandate in June and is expected to act on final legislation by the end of the year.    » read more »

35 mile-per-gallon minimum standard locked in for 2020

December 3, 2007 -- On Friday, November 30, House leaders announced an agreement that represents the first meaningful improvement in vehicle fuel economy in more than 30 years. The agreement would raise fuel economy standards of America's cars, light trucks and sport utility vehicles to an average of at least 35 miles per gallon (mpg) by 2020, a 10-mpg increase over current levels.    » read more »