Turnabout on Fuel Standards - New York Times(Fuel Economy)

DETROIT — Just six months ago, an auto industry trade group warned that consumers could be forced to buy vehicles they did not want if Congress went too far in raising fuel economy standards. But this week, after a deal on proposed legislation to raise fuel economy by 40 percent to 35 miles per gallon by 2020, the companies in the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers declared the higher standards would be “good for both customers and energy security. He was referring to tough negotiations with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi before Thursday, when the House easily passed energy legislation, which contained the fuel economy increase, by a vote of 235-181. Pelosi and other members of Congress, who believed they had the public’s support for higher fuel standards, to make carmakers contribute to efforts to fight climate change . Pelosi reached a deal on a fuel economy measure in the House, the alliance’s statement said, “We believe this tough, national fuel economy bill will be good for both consumers and energy security. One provision in the House bill, backed by Senator Debbie Stabenow , Democrat of Michigan, and supported by the United Automobile Workers union, provides federal loan guarantees to help auto companies that invest in factories that are at least 20 years old to build vehicles with advanced technology. read more

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