Domenici Statement on President's Executive Order on CAFE and Alternative Fuels
May 14, 2007
02:18 PM
WASHINGTON – In response to President Bush’s Executive Order issued today directing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other relevant agencies, including the Department of Energy, to implement a new Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) policy and mandate the use of alternative fuels, U.S. Senator Pete Domenici, ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, issued the following statement:
“In response to the Supreme Court’s decision EPA v. Massachusetts, President Bush today announced that he has issued an executive order instructing the EPA and other relevant agencies to develop new regulations that will raise the average fuel economy of American vehicles and increase the use of alternative fuels.
“News today that DailmerChrysler will sell a controlling interest in its struggling Chrysler Group reminds us of the significant financial troubles facing America’s auto industry. One of the reasons for these struggles is the failure of the Big Three to adapt to the growing need for vehicles that are more fuel efficient. The American consumer is now demanding vehicles that use less gasoline and emit less carbon dioxide.
“Following the President’s ambitious State of the Union call to reduce gasoline usage by twenty percent over the next ten years, Congress went to work on this challenge. Senator Jeff Bingaman and I recently passed a bill out of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee that will dramatically expand the use of alternative fuels, and others are working on legislation that will increase CAFE.
“The President clearly believes that the Administration has the authority to implement new regulations on these matters. In my view, having the White House actively engaged in reducing gasoline usage is a positive sign. I believe Congress should continue its efforts on these matters, and work together with the Administration to meet the demands of the American people.
“I also firmly believe that while raising the fuel economy average and mandating advanced fuels will be beneficial, these steps alone will not be enough to address global climate change. The United States must continue to engage China, India, and other developing nations in a cooperative effort to reduce carbon emissions. Only a truly global effort with shared sacrifices will have a meaningful impact on improving the world’s climate.”
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