Bush Administration, Disregarding Commitment, Defers CAFE Decision to Obama
In a reversal on President Bush's commitment to make a key decision on the issue of Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards, the U.S. Department of Transportation today announced that it will leave the decision to the incoming administration of Barack Obama.
In a brief, unsigned statement this morning, the department said it will not issue final rules for fuel economy standards for the 2011-15 model years as planned.
"The recent financial difficulties of the automobile industry will require the next administration to conduct a thorough review of matters affecting the industry, including how to effectively implement" a new energy law requiring tougher standards, the statement said without attributing it to any individual.
The energy law, enacted in December 2007, requires standards to go up 40 percent by 2020 to a fleetwide average of at least 35 miles per gallon.
The Transporation Department's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration proposed a rule for the 2011-15 model years, raising standards by about 25 percent by the end of that period at an estimated cost of about $47 billion to the automotive industry.
The Bush administration had promised a final rule by the end of 2008. But that was before the economic downturn reached crisis proportions for the industry, necessitating federal loans to General Motors and Chrysler to keep the companies afloat.
Federal law requires NHTSA to give automakers at least 18 months lead time before imposing higher standards under the CAFE program. So time remains for the Obama administration to impose higher standards for the 2011 model year -- which, under the CAFE program, begins Oct. 1, 2010.
The deadline for a final rule would be April 1.
So, after fighting environmentalists, state air-quality regulators and other responsible people who have sought new vehicle-mileage rules for years, the administration ultimately chose not to make them. On the green-car front, the Bush administration proved once again that is nothing if not consistently irresponsible.
Scott Doggett, Contributor
- Posted by
- Scott Doggett January 7, 2009, 12:52 PM
- Permalink
- Categories:
- Fuel Economy, Legislation
- Technorati Tags:
- Barack Obama, Bush Administration, CAFE, Corporate Average Fuel Economy
I don't see how deferring a decision due to economic constraints is irresponsible. I say it's a pragmatic reflection of the times. It's unreasonable to expect the automakers to fork over billions to comply with regulations when they need billions just to stay afloat.
This also put the pressure of the screaming global-warming prophets on Obama's shoulders, and he will have to be the one to tell them about pragmatism. It's poetic justice, but I wish poor Obama didn't have so much on his plate right out of the gates!