Senate panel sets 35 mpg standard by 2020Commerce Committee approves bill that would raise fuel economy standards.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- The U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Tuesday approved a bill that would raise the passenger fleet automotive fuel standard to an average 35 miles per gallon by 2020.
The measure passed on a voice vote. Two leading Republicans on the committee, Ted Stevens of Alaska and Trent Lott of Mississippi, expressed reservations about the bill and how it would apply to domestic automakers and the proposed standard for light trucks.
Survey: Half could support higher gas tax
"I am very concerned about the overall fairness," Lott said. "We need to make sure we are fair across the board to all manufacturers. There are some inherent disadvantages, especially on the truck issue."
The bill would also mandate a mileage standard for the first time for medium-duty and heavy-duty trucks.
Major automakers including Toyota Motor Corp., General Motors Corp.and Ford Motor Co.oppose the bill, saying the proposed standard would represent too steep a rise and be too costly to achieve.
A House of Representatives committee is working on its own plan to increase what are known as the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards. Congress is under pressure to finalize legislation that would give automakers enough time to adopt changes.
The bill should go to the full Senate for debate and a vote in June, lawmakers said.
"After more than two decades of inaction on fuel economy issues, this is a step that is long past due," said Democrat Dianne Feinstein of California, a key sponsor of the bill.
The Senate Commerce Committee also approved an amendment that would prohibit price increases for gasoline during national emergencies, such as those declared by the federal government after a devastating hurricane or flood.
Find this article at:
http://www.cnn.com/2007/AUTOS/05/08/bc.autos.fuel.reut/index.html
