For More Information:
Anna Aurilio, 202-683-1250 x317
Rob Sargent, 617-747-4317
Statement of Anna Aurilio,
Washington DC Office Director
The President called for an increase in CAFE in his 2007
State of the Union address and Congress has signed, sealed, and delivered it to
him. Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Reid, along with Chairman Dingell and
Chairman Markey, deserve tremendous credit for breaking the decades-long log
jam on fuel economy.
In Ohio, Congressmen
Kucinich, Ryan, Space, Wilson,
Hobson, LaTourette, Tiberi, and Congresswomen Kaptur, Sutton, and Tubbs Jones,
Schmidt all voted in support of the bill. Congresswoman Pryce of Franklin County
did not vote on the bill and Congressmen Boehner, Chabot, Jordan,
Latta, Regula, and Turner voted against the bill.
This improvement in fuel economy will make real progress on global warming. By
making our cars go farther on a gallon of gas, we can cut global warming
pollution by more than the total annual emissions of countries like Brazil, France
or Spain.
We are thrilled that this Congress has turned a corner on
energy policy by delivering long-overdue oil savings for America, but we are disappointed
the President has blocked progress on renewable energy. The original
House-passed energy bill contained popular renewable electricity standards now
in place in 25 states as well as provisions to close tax loopholes for Big Oil
to fund renewable energy projects. White
House opposition to the renewable electricity standard and to the tax package
helped lead to these provisions being dropped on the Senate floor.
We look forward to taking the next step toward a new energy
future by passing renewable energy standards and incentives when Congress
returns in 2008, and urge the President to make signing a renewable energy bill
a cornerstone of his final year in office.
