(Washington, DC) - Congressmen Baron Hill (D-IN) and Lee Terry (R-NE) continue to garner cosponsors for their legislation to increase Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards, H.R. 2927.  In the span of only a few weeks, the bill now has 162 cosponsors. 

“I believe my colleagues in Congress have signed onto this bill because it presents a thoughtful and effective alternative to proposals already out there,” Hill said.  “Our bill, unlike some alternative proposals, would protect American jobs.”

“America needs a sound, comprehensive energy policy that includes measures to achieve greater energy efficiency,” Terry said.  “With rising oil prices and growing frustration with our dependence on foreign oil, reducing the amount of gasoline we use in our vehicles makes sense.  I am pleased so many other Members of Congress agree and have indicated that by signing onto this bill.”

H.R. 2927 requires the U.S. Secretary of Transportation to prescribe fuel economy standards at the maximum feasible level for each car model year.  In addition, the bill also requires the Secretary to mandate separate standards for passenger cars and pickup trucks standards with a goal of no less than 32 miles per gallon (mpg) and no more than a combined 35 mpg for Model Year 2022.  By retaining separate standards for passenger cars and light trucks, including SUVs, H.R. 2927 ensures consumer choice. Alternative CAFE legislation largely calls for all automobiles to be grouped into one category.

“This bill presents a real and difficult challenge to the automobile industry: start making your cars, trucks and sport utility vehicles more fuel efficient and friendlier to the environment,” Hill said.  “Although challenging, this bill is realistic.  We must collectively move our country on a path toward energy independence.  But, in doing so, we must not jeopardize tens of thousands of American jobs.”

“In rural areas, especially on the farm, trucks with hauling and tow capacity are essential,” Terry said.  “New mandates on fuel efficiency by Congress will be effective only if they are technologically and economically feasible, give manufacturers enough time to re-orient their production processes, and maintain different treatment of cars and trucks – which our bill does.” 

H.R. 2927 also establishes a public education program to inform consumers how best to conserve fuel when using their vehicles and how consistently replacing car tires can have a real impact on the fuel economy of vehicles. 

“This bill is real, bipartisan progress at work,” Hill said.  “Congressman Terry and I take the issue of energy independence very seriously – it is an issue that greatly affects our economic and national security.”

“Our legislation provides a sensible plan for vehicle manufacturers to increase mileage in their cars and trucks while ensuring that the marketplace, not the government, will let consumers choose what kind of vehicles they want to drive.”

CAFE proposals continue to emerge from other Members of Congress.   Such alternative measures have a range of 40 to 153 cosponsors.  However, the Hill-Terry bill has incredibly broad support from Members of both political parties and outside groups, such as the AFL-CIO, American Farm Bureau Federation, Clean Fuels Development Coalition, National Black Chamber of Commerce, Traditional Values Coalition and several state Chambers of Commerce.