Statement of Senator Maria Cantwell on Corporate Average Fuel Economy
"Mr. President, I rise today to express my disappointment with the Senate's inability to act on the important issue of corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards for our nation's vehicles. Addressing the transportation sector's consumption of fossil fuels is an integral part of any energy policy designed to meet the needs of our 21st Century economy.
"I continue to believe that raising CAFE standards is absolutely critical in promoting more efficient fuel use-thus weaning this nation from its dependence on foreign oil--while continuing to meet our transportation needs. At the same time, CAFE standards promise environmental benefits and savings for consumers. Despite what some in industry might suggest-suggestions that harken back to Congress' first debate on CAFE in 1975, when some claimed the current standards would render this nation's auto manufacturers extinct--I believe we have the technologies and the American ingenuity necessary to meet the goals set out by tougher CAFE standards.
"Mr. President, transportation accounts for 67 percent of U.S. oil consumption and one-third of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. Clearly, improving the efficiency of the U.S. vehicle fleet would serve the public interest by reducing individuals' exposure to fluctuations in oil prices and emitting fewer of climate changing greenhouse gases.
"To me, the numbers suggest a very clear choice.
"If my colleagues truly wanted to take the environmentally and economically responsible vote-to mitigate our exposure to foreign oil and economically devastating price shocks-they would have acted today to increase our fuel efficiency standards.
"Mr. President, I believe many in this chamber agree on the theoretical goals of this bill-increased energy independence, diversification of our energy resources and improving the energy efficiency of our economy. But my colleagues must realize that to meet these goals we must address both supply-side and demand-side of the equation. And we cannot wait to take action.
"Simply cranking up oil production and ignoring the efficiencies at our fingertips will ensure that we will be in the same place 20 years from now-or worse yet, even more dependent on foreign sources of oil.
"Estimates suggest that if the status quo is maintained, our dependence will grow from 51 percent today, to 64 percent in 2020. If the status quo is maintained, we will be asking ourselves the same questions about economic and energy security as we are asking ourselves today.
"I believe that the CAFE provision proposed by Sen. Kerry and Sen. McCain, like its predecessor in 1975, would have gone a long way toward meeting the multiple goals of the overall energy bill. In addition to the energy security and environmental benefits I've already mentioned, it would have protected consumers against disruptions in oil supplies that increase the cost of a gallon of gasoline.
"The current CAFE standard-which has saved 14 percent of fuel consumption from what it would have been without CAFE-has not been updated in 20 years. By increasing fuel economy standards, consumers would travel farther on a gallon of gasoline than ever before. Since the introduction of the first CAFE standards in 1975, vehicle operating expenses have been halved, mostly due to decreased expenditures on gas and oil.
"Increasing fuel efficiency has a second impact, which is to help to stimulate the American economy by keeping dollars at home. At present, Americans spend over $300 million dollars per day on foreign oil. By reducing how much of that oil we consume, Americans save billions of dollars a year at the gas pump. This money would be available for reinvestment in our own economy and to help improve the lives of American families.
"Opponents of CAFE standards have argued that increased fuel efficiency will result in decreased vehicle safety. To the contrary, provisions to maintain vehicle safety are written directly into the language. Furthermore, by bringing SUVs and light trucks under the rubric of the CAFE standard, CAFE will without question save lives.
"Opponents also argued that CAFE standards hurt the American auto industry and American workers.
"In reality, a higher fuel economy standard would put existing technologies into vehicles and spur technological innovation-something in which American industry is a proud leader. The CAFE proposal provided for gradual improvement in fuel economy over time, allowing manufacturers the opportunity to retool processes and redesign product lines over time. Consumer fuel savings and technological innovation will lead to an infusion of capital in local economies and investments in the auto industry, making U.S. vehicles competitive in a global market and creating-not destroying-jobs.
"The first time around, CAFE was created in response to rising oil prices. Today, volatility in the oil market continues to be a concern, along with our energy security and the environmental impact of fossil fuel emissions. Mr. President, we had before us an opportunity to alleviate threats to our national energy and economic security posed by foreign oil dependence, while protecting our environment and taking a positive step in the battle to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. Now is the time to make these changes.
"I want to thank Sen. Kerry and Sen. McCain for their leadership on this issue. I want to add that I agree with my colleague from the Energy Committee, Sen. Carper, who has suggested that we should-we must-return to the issue of CAFE standards before we finish our work on this bill. Hopefully, we will all come to our senses. I yield the floor.
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