| The temperature is getting hotter in the Congress | | | | per gallon by 2018. With the said fuel standard |
| not only because of global warming issues but | | | | proposal, improvement of about 10 mpg from |
| because of the burning fuel standards proposals. | | | | current levels is expected to be realized. The bill |
| Proposals come one after the other. And today, a | | | | will also raise fuel economy four percent annually |
| key lawmaker will introduce a bill that requires | | | | after 2018, "unless it is not technologically or |
| automakers to increase fuel economy standards | | | | economically feasible," as Markey noted. |
| by four percent annually. | | | | According to a National Highway Traffic Safety |
| The proposed bill by U.S. Rep. Ed Markey, D-Mass., | | | | Administration (NHTSA) analysis, the four percent |
| who is known for being a dogmatic critic of the | | | | annual increase would cost the auto industry $114 |
| auto industry, is in connection with President | | | | billion from 2010 to 2017, including $85 billion for |
| Bush's stated goal of an average four percent | | | | Detroit's Big Three. |
| raise each year starting in September 2009 for | | | | Top executives of the largest automakers that |
| passenger cars and September 2011 for light | | | | include General Motors Corporation, the Ford |
| trucks. | | | | Motor Company, DaimlerChrysler's Chrysler |
| However, the difference of Markey's proposal is | | | | Group, and the Toyota Motor North America are |
| that it makes the requirement a law. In contrast, | | | | expected at the Capitol Hill Wednesday to testify |
| Bush's proposal allows automakers to negotiate | | | | about fuel economy before a House committee. |
| for a lesser standard during the rulemaking | | | | In complying with the potential four percent |
| process. | | | | increase in fuel standard, the automakers are |
| Automakers have earlier endorsed rewriting the | | | | expected to entertain lots of upgrades and |
| federal fuel regulation rather than letting Congress | | | | modifications. And these changes entail intensive |
| legislate a specific requirement. Automakers call it | | | | research and experimentation, as well as huge |
| "picking a number out of the air." | | | | pecuniary considerations. The said proposal will also |
| Markey's proposal is less strict than previous bills | | | | require introduction of refined auto parts to blend |
| he has penned. The recent one would increase | | | | with the engines, suspension, rotors, filters, |
| the average fuel economy standard for an | | | | Brembo brakes, car accessories and other auto |
| automaker's fleet of vehicles to at least 35 miles | | | | systems. |