BCT Editorial – 6/29/07

This page was last updated on July 2, 2007.

Fuel bill; Editorial; Beaver County Times; June 29, 2007.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject editorial.

“A section of the recent energy bill passed by the U.S. Senate would require automakers to guarantee fuel economy standards of 35 miles per gallon for cars and SUVs by 2020.

“The Associated Press reported that the compromise legislation scaled back tougher fuel standards from a previous bill. At least Congress did something to address America’s penchant for burning up oil. Right now, automakers must meet an average of 27.5 mpg for cars and 22.2 mpg for SUVs and small trucks. The standard for cars has not changed since 1989, but the truck requirements have increased slightly under President Bush.”

[RWC] There must be a mistake. A Republican Congress and a Republican president couldn’t have increased the fuel economy requirements for trucks, could they? <g>

“Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., hailed the passage of the energy bill as a victory for the American people.

“But the real victory would be for Congress to pass measures requiring Americans to drive less and conserve more.

“Better fuel efficiency for cars and trucks is a start, but America still has a long way to go in reducing its dependency on oil.”

[RWC] Note the editorial doesn’t mention what “measures requiring Americans to drive less and conserve more” would be. Here’s a hint. They won’t include freedom of choice.