Think Progress breaks the news that the Senate has passed the first significant increase in fuel efficiency standards in nearly 20 years--to 35 miles per gallon for cars and SUVs.
Feinstein has released a statement on the vote: "The compromise legislation raises the fleetwide average fuel economy standards for all cars, trucks and SUVs by 10 miles per gallon over 10 years — or from 25 to 35 miles per gallon by Model Year 2020." By 2025, the fuel economy increases for cars and light-duty trucks would:
— Save between 2.0 and 2.5 million barrels of oil per day, nearly the amount of oil imported today from the Persian Gulf.
— Achieve up to 18 percent reduction of carbon dioxide emissions from anticipated levels, or the equivalent of taking 60 million cars off the road in one year.
— Save consumers $79-98 billion at the pump, based on a $3.00 gas price.
This is tremendous progress on the part of the Senate, and they are to be commended. So pats on the back all around on the Senate side. However, the battle is far from over as there may or may not be an deal in the House between and Pelosi and Dingell to put off the CAFE standards. It's unclear right now whether those reports are true, but it most certainly can't hurt to pressure House Dems to follow the Senate's suit, and adopt these standards. Start dialing!