Energy Bill Faces Fierce Floor Fight

Automakers will bring out the big guns to battle 45 mpg efficiency standards

By Peter Fearon, Newser Staff

Posted Jun 18, 2007 5:01 AM CDT

(Newser) – The Democrats' energy bill is under attack on two fronts in the Senate—automakers want to weaken fuel efficiency standards, and the coal industry is looking for tax breaks for making diesel. The Wall Street Journal predicts a ferocious floor fight over the proposed package that would set a 45 mpg standard for cars by 2005.

Detroit calls the proposal wildly extreme, and claims it puts 13.3 million American jobs at risk. The sponsors of the bill counter that the big automakers already make more fuel efficient cars in the European and Asian markets. Meanwhile, the coal industry's proposal for making clean diesel is opposed by environmental groups.

Gas prices in the northwest section of the District of Columbia are displayed at this Exxon service station Wednesday, May 23, 2007, in Washington. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari) (Associated Press)

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Energy Bill Faces Fierce Floor Fight

Automakers will bring out the big guns to battle 45 mpg efficiency standards

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Jim Talent runs lobbying firm paid by Big Coal

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Energy Bill Faces Fierce Floor Fight

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Energy Bill

environmentalism • coal • Detroit • fuel efficiency • CAFE standards • automaker • energy bill

MOST POPULAR STORIES

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More Newser Stories

House OKs $25B Detroit Rescue

Package of low-interest loans aims to prop up staggering auto industry

Detroit Resists MPG Rules

Face-off in Washington over tougher fuel economies

Romney Energy Aide Linked to Coal Industry

Jim Talent runs lobbying firm paid by Big Coal

New US Fuel Standards: 54.5 MPG by 2025

Obama hails new goal with automakers

Resurgent Ford Has High Hopes for Taurus

Automaker's financial independence has improved its image with consumers

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Newser By Users

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