Increasing Energy Conservation

Statement in Support of House Amendment 73 to the Energy Policy Act of 2005

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of this bipartisan amendment. If we want a national energy policy that is truly about economic security for all Americans, not just those in the auto industry, that is about national security for all Americans, it needs to be comprehensive. It needs to be about hybrid vehicles, alternative fuels, renewable fuels. It needs to be about better using our resources we have. But it also needs to be about conservation.

This amendment is one of the greatest steps we can take in the area of going forward in conservation. It is not about whether you should be able to buy an SUV. It is about whether you should be able to buy an SUV that gets 27.5 miles per gallon like a car does instead of 20.7. It is about choice and efficiency.

This amendment is a good amendment. I urge a ``yes'' vote. I commend the prime sponsors of the amendment for bringing it before the House.

Here is the text of the amendment:

AMENDMENT DESCRIPTION:
Amendment sought to direct the Secretary of Transportation to increase fuel economy standards from today's average of 25 miles/gallon to 33 miles/gallon over 10 years.

AMENDMENT PURPOSE:
An amendment numbered 4 printed in House Report 109-49 to direct the Secretary of Transportation to increase fuel economy standards from today's average of 25 mpg to 33 mpg over 10 years (by 2015), consistent with the findings of the National Academy of Sciences, in order to save 10% of the gasoline the nation would otherwise consume by 2015. The amendment also directs the Secretary to maximize job retention in the American auto manufacturing sector and to prevent taking actions that would reduce safety.