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[ed note: guest post from Lorna Li from saveourenvironment.org]

by Lorna Li | Green 2.0
The debate over a clean 2007 Energy Bill with strong fuel efficiency and renewable electricity standards is getting hotter.

A large group of auto workers and dealers have broken from the industry in order to support the 35 mpg by 2020 fuel efficiency standard that is currently being debated by Congress for the 2007 Energy Bill. An alliance of the Big Three Auto Makers in America – General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler – are aggressively lobbying Congress to lower that standard 32 mpg by 2022.

Spearheading the movement are Adam Lee, president of Lee Auto Malls in Maine, Gary Muenzhuber, representing Autoworkers of Minnesota, Inc, Chicago-based Chuck Frank, owner of one of the nation’s largest Chevy dealerships and Kentucky-based Karen Bowen, a former Ford executive.

Adam Lee, third generation autodealer, makes this personal plea in his 3 minute video clip. “My family has been selling American made cars since 1936. My livelihood and the livelihood of over 350 employees who work for us depend upon the success of the automobile industry. Today that strength is severely compromised by the lack of fuel-efficient cars and trucks customers want to buy.

Without a 35 mile-per-gallon mandate, I’m afraid, global warming and our dependence on foreign oil will continue to get much worse in the long run. And, in the short run, I’m afraid I’ll be stuck with a lot full of cars that no one wants to buy or even worse: This country will no longer have an American auto industry.”

Known as the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) Standard, the legislative move to raise mileage for cars and light trucks to an average of 35 mpg by 2020 was, in fact, passed by the U.S. Senate in June. This is the first Congressional increase in fuel efficiency in 30 years, and yet the auto industry is pushing a proposal which would weaken and delay the Senate decision.

35 mpg by 2020 Vs. 32 mpg by 2022

In their report titled Energy Bill Must Guarantee Real Oil Savings, the Union of Concerned Scientists studied the difference between the 2 fuel efficiency proposal.

Barrels of Oil Saved Per Day:- 500,000 Auto Lobby Proposal

- 1.2 Million Senate CAFE Compromise

Consumer Savings at the Pump:

- $11 Billion Auto Lobby Proposal

- $25 Billion Senate CAFE Compromise

Emissions Reductions

- 85mmt CO2 Auto Lobby Proposal

- 206 mmt CO2 Senate CAFE Compromise

As gas prices continue to rise, American auto manufacturers are becoming less and less competitive with more fuel-efficient international auto manufacturers. Rather than choose to innovate now, which will benefit both American consumers and the U.S. auto industry as a whole, the Auto Lobby would rather spend $ millions in a PR campaign that could sway the public and take this country a step backwards, all in a bid for maximum short-term profits.

What Else is on the 2007 Energy Bill Agenda?

In addition to the 35 mpg by 2020 provision, other provisions for the 2007 Energy Bill include a Renewable Electricity Standard that requires 15% of U.S. electricity to be derived from renewable sources, also by 2020. In addition, musicians, environmental, and student groups have been aggressively lobbying against a scary nuclear provision that stands to provide unlimited loan guarantees to the nuclear power industry.

What you can do to support a strong, clean 2007 Energy Bill

1) Support auto industry workers by sending this letter to Congress in support of 35 mpg by 2020 http://www.35mpgby2020.com/sign.html.

2) Support a strong, clean Energy Bill that includes both the 35 mpg CAFE standard and 15% Renewable Electricity Standard by signing this petition http://www.energybill2007.org

3) Say “NO” to unlimited loan guarantees to the nuclear power industry by signing this petition for a Nuke Free America http://www.nukefree.org/petition