FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, August 30, 2007

CONTACT:
Brandon MacGillis
202-887-8830

Statement of Kevin S. Curtis, Senior Advocate for the PEW Campaign for Fuel Efficiency

On the Auto Lobby Efforts In Ohio To Undermine Real Fuel Efficiency Standards

Washington, DC — Kevin S. Curtis, Senior Advocate for the PEW Campaign for Fuel Efficiency, issued the following statement on the attempts by the auto lobby front group, Driving America's Future to undermine the bipartisan Senate compromise to raise fuel efficiency standards to 35 mpg by 2020.

"This latest proposal by the auto lobby would merely weaken and delay long overdue vehicle efficiency improvements. It's sad that an industry built on American ingenuity has been reduced to fighting even modest efficiency increases.

"No longer able to hold off action on fuel economy, the auto lobby is now trying to weaken and delay long overdue mileage improvements. This latest proposal in Ohio to support weakening the Senate compromise would just leave drivers paying too much at the pump.

"Despite claims by the auto lobby, American automakers already have the technology to hit a 35 mile-per-gallon target. For decades, they've claimed they could not afford to make meaningful progress on fuel economy. They said the same thing about mandatory seatbelts and airbags, and now these features are as common as windshield wipers.

"If Detroit is going to compete in the 21st century, it must start by giving American consumers what they want — cars and trucks that go farther on a tank of gas. The Senate compromise would do just that and mean real savings at the pump for Ohio consumers, saving them $530 million annually. That is why two out of three Ohio voters favor the Senate compromise."

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BACKGROUND:

On June 21, 2007, the U.S. Senate passed a bipartisan compromise that increased fuel efficiency standards to 35 miles per gallon by 2020. This represents the first real increase in auto fuel efficiency standards in more than three decades. During that time, U.S. dependence on foreign oil has nearly doubled, gas prices have climbed more than 55 percent and U.S. global warming emissions have increased at an alarming rate. Meanwhile, average gas mileage for new vehicles is lower than it was 20 years ago.