Taking The Hill
New Study Links CAFE to Climate Emissions Cut
A new report by the U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO) shows that raising the fuel economy of automobiles from levels set in the 1980s could have a dramatic effect in reducing air pollution linked to climate change. GAO also acknowledges that, even without tightening current standards, fuel economy may increase as technology improves over the long term and therefore may not need congressional action to improve automobile efficiency.The report comes as lawmakers consider the possibility of raising corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards.
Senate Committee Approves EPA Funding Amid Criticism
The U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee has approved a funding bill for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which critics say falls short. EPA Administrator Carol Browner criticized the bill for underfunding key air programs. The Senate refused to meet EPA funding requests for the Climate Change Technology Initiative, a comprehensive plan for addressing global climate change, and it refused to fund the Clean Air Partnership (CAP) altogether.This is the second year Congress refused to fund CAP, which is designed to give money to state and local governments to develop multi-pollutant reduction strategies. The criticism comes amid remarks from Senate democrats who view the bill as an “important victory for the environment.”
EPA Denies Charges of Covert Analysis
The EPA has denied allegations that it has secretly been factoring costs to industry when setting air quality standards. The denial came in response to charges made by the American Trucking Association (ATA) and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce (COC) that the agency has been covertly considering compliance costs when setting National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).The ATA and COC charges were made last July in the Supreme Court in hopes that it will overturn a prior precedent and force the EPA to incorporate economic factors into all future rulemakings on NAAQS. The accusations are also significant because next year the court will rule on the legitimacy of the EPA's claim that the Clean Air Act forbids the agency from considering any factors other than public health risks when setting NAAQS.
Tire Recall Hearings, Bills Moving Swiftly
The Firestone tire recall has set Congress ablaze with activity before the end of session. Both the Senate and the House have held hearings and marked up bills to be sent to their respective chambers for consideration. Each of the bills would require companies to set up an “early warning” system. The system would force companies to report to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) about possible defects in products for the agency to make a decision on whether a recall should be instituted. Both senators and representatives agree that the whole industry will need further examination next year.
AutoInc. Magazine ® Vol.XLVIII, November 2000
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