Last Minute Maneuvers Continue on CAFE and Energy Bill

Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich is attempting to change the Energy Bill to include language that 'clarifies' that automakers' first responsibility is to comply with traditional fuel economy standards.

In other words, they would continue to be regulated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration instead of the EPA. (Source: Climax nears in Congress’ CAFE fight - Automotive News). Despite Dingell postion as the chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, it is being said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is unlikely to back his request.

In April, the EPA was instructed by the Supreme Court to determine whether vehicle greenhouse emissions are a threat, and if so, they must regulate them. Lobbyists from the automakers feel such rules should be compatible with the corporate average fuel economy program (CAFE), which is likely to be updated by the new Energy Bill.

As it stands right now, the new CAFE standards will likely be set to 35 mpg by 2020. This is the tougher of two proposals which was passed by the Senate and avoided by the House.

Although Dingell has backed off on the lesser of two CAFE standards being discussed, he has continued to push for separate guidelines for trucks and cars.

Although the Energy Bill is expect to pass in the next couple of weeks, Bush may veto the new CAFE standards.