Bush Approves SUV Fuel Economy Increase

AP ^ | 12/12/02 | H. JOSEF HEBERT

[finnman69]

Bush Approves SUV Fuel Economy Increase

By H. JOSEF HEBERT, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Bush administration approved a modest increase Thursday in fuel economy for sport utility vehicles and small trucks, beginning with the 2005 model year, administration sources said.

The change is the first since 1996, when Congress imposed a freeze on the federal fuel economy requirements on automakers.

The Transportation Department will require fuel economy for SUVs, pickup trucks and minivans to increase by about 1.5 miles per gallon over three years beginning with the model 2005 vehicles that arrive in showrooms in late 2004, said the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Automakers currently must meet a fleet average fuel economy of 20.7 mpg for the "light truck" category that includes SUVs, minivans and pickups.

The federal Corporate Average Fuel Economy, or CAFE, for other passenger vehicles will remain at 27.5 miles per gallon, where it has been since 1990.

The final rule mirrors a proposal sent to the White House for review last month by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration a Transportation Department agency that administers the program.

Spokesmen for the automakers said a 1.5 mpg boost in the fleet average was "a significant increase" and a "daunting" challenge if producers are to continue to provide customers with a wide range of SUVs, including the larger models.

"Achieving this standard depends on consumers buying our fuel-efficient vehicles in large numbers," said Gloria Briquets, a spokeswoman for the Auto Alliance, which represents the major manufacturers.

But environmentalists scoffed at the increase.

"It's a minuscule number compared to what's needed and what's technically achievable," said Daniel Becker, a fuel economy expert at the Sierra Club.

[SauronOfMordor]

Wouldn't you say it's an issue if the vehicle burns 10 gallons of gas to go on these errands as opposed to 7 or 8 gallons?

An extra two gallons per week is insignificant, both in terms of fuel cost (as a component of total cost of ownership) and extra pollution

[Almondjoy]

Again your expansion of my point only makes you look foolish. Should of could of would of... blah blah blah. "You simple people just don't get it do you? If we as a society would do more as people for others then we wouldn't need laws at all now would we?" I asked those questions of you for a reason. Obviously since you refused to answer them you have ignored my whole point. Of course life is what you make of it. The funny part is that you your arguments against gains in mpg is a counter argument to things like abortion. "In a perfect world" Yes we wouldn't have abortion. Yes we wouldn't have murderers or rapists. Yes we would haven't a need to have gun control laws because we wouldn't need guns. Your argument has so many holes in it I don't know where to begin.

The problem is that you aruge we shouldn't have a mpg increase because it hurts people rights to choose.. by making things unaffordable because of the initals costs at approving technology that would be beneficial in 3947347 more ways than it would harm the individual consumer. Hmm... So the the indiviudal has the rights over the majority. If you carried that same arugment to other things(back to the abortion issue) they anybody should have a right to abortion. Which is fine.. it should be that way... but like anything there is a need for moderation. Yes you can have abortion but no you can't kill a baby at 8 1/2 months... you can't do it in back alleys.. etc etc. The laws are in place to protect the public as a whole at the same time protecting individual liberties. The increase in the mpg by 1.5 is one of those things that accomdates moderation. It pissed everyone off on all sides which means it's a good thing.

This time I'll sum up my point. Moderation is key to making this world a better place. I am not a utopian.. I'm just hoping people will gain a little common sense. Is that so wrong?

[Almondjoy]

But I'm lessening the need on the world oil supply and making sure my kid has gas to go to school. That's a little over exggration.. but since you failed to actually read both signs of the coin, I figured I would flip it over for you.

[zingzang]

An extra two gallons per week is insignificant, both in terms of fuel cost (as a component of total cost of ownership) and extra pollution

Multiply that by how many hundred thousand vehciles are out there and then how insignificant is it? Why is childhood asthma so rampant these days?

[John Jamieson]

Please send me all you spare $5's. I promise to reduce my consumption 1.5 gallons per.

Well you could have bought a Prius, those people are paying about $12 per unused gallon! It's also very likely that Prius uses so much extra energy in production and recycling as to increase, not decrease the overall impact on mom earth.

[Slewfoot]

This time I'll sum up my point. Moderation is key to making this world a better place. I am not a utopian.. I'm just hoping people will gain a little common sense. Is that so wrong?

Wrong, Excess not moderation supplies the incentive in the capitalistic system. Big cars, big houses, yachts, large lawns, private schools, luxury chothes, luxury furniture and exotic foods are the rewards of those who exceed. People won't take risk building business just to have the basic needs that everyone else is provided with. The pursuit of luxuries is what build our society not " form each according their ability to each according to their need." Working hard, studying hard and taking financial or personal risk only occur when there is a reward.

Moderation inforced by law is socialism. If you think the sale of oil is something that should be controled by the government and not by the free market, then I would expect you to feel the same way about housing, food, water, medical care or anything someone needs. You could say we are only talking about 1.5 mpg but then instead of discussing what kind of girl you are we would be haggling over the price.

[EGPWS]

People that do have the most power and influence in society use it for their own personal gain.. from sports to entertainment.. to corrupt CEO's. I'll take it a step further and I imagine you read the business page like I do. Most people who make their way to the top is because they have stepped on the people they could in order to make a name for themseleves. Most well known top execs in this country have not gotten there for being nice.. they are known as people who you do not want to make rage.
Anger in this country is what makes things happen for you. In every aspect of this society we award greed and being cutthroat as the aspects most wanted to be successful in this world. I know this is really rambling on but seriously we need to get down to the point of all this.

How else does one make it to the top? By concedeing and being nice? Like in politics, as I have so often seen, yes it's dog eat dog! A human trait and IMHO not worth suppressing to the point of bringing us back to the stone age.(or at least putting us on the road to it). I may be somewhat biased for at a young age, a couple of years ago, I blew a hole in my aorta and am one of the lucky few that has survived the dissection. The surgeon who saved me was arrogant and VERY rich! I didn't care at the time. He was damn good at what he did and saved my life. I couldn't care less if he's arrogant, drives a gas hog, or lives in a mansion. To ME he earned his life style!

I guess after dragging on past a reasonable bandwidth use, my point is if an INDIVIDUAL has it let them run with it! In the long run in a free society with INDIVIDUAL freedoms and rights EVERYBODY benefits from an individuals personal gains.

Don't you agree?

[hopespringseternal]

?" I asked those questions of you for a reason. Obviously since you refused to answer them you have ignored my whole point. Of course life is what you make of it.

That is because your "point" is just wishful thinking. Capitalism and free markets work. The more you meddle with them, the less you get what you want and the more unintended consequences you end up dealing with. You refuse to appreciate that fact or address it other than wishing it away.

Nor can you exactly predict what a market will do when you start molesting it. When federal regulations turned every single American made automobile into a front wheel drive four cylinder, people started buying trucks that get the same gas mileage cars did before they were mini-sized.

Now you are whining because people want what they want instead of what you want them to want. When you presume to make yourself the manager of other people's wants and desires, you become an evil, hateful person. Whine all you want.

The funny part is that you your arguments against gains in mpg is a counter argument to things like abortion. "In a perfect world" Yes we wouldn't have abortion. Yes we wouldn't have murderers or rapists. Yes we would haven't a need to have gun control laws because we wouldn't need guns. Your argument has so many holes in it I don't know where to begin.

Begin by putting down the crack pipe and trying to write a coherent paragraph.

The problem is that you aruge we shouldn't have a mpg increase because it hurts people rights to choose.. by making things unaffordable because of the initals costs at approving technology that would be beneficial in 3947347 more ways than it would harm the individual consumer. Hmm... So the the indiviudal has the rights over the majority. If you carried that same arugment to other things(back to the abortion issue) they anybody should have a right to abortion. Which is fine.. it should be that way... but like anything there is a need for moderation. Yes you can have abortion but no you can't kill a baby at 8 1/2 months... you can't do it in back alleys.. etc etc. The laws are in place to protect the public as a whole at the same time protecting individual liberties.

The masses are an abstraction. All that is real is the individual. Do you have any idea what that means? You can't harm individuals for the benefit of everyone. That is like "virginity through screwing." You can't benefit people by hurting them. The false dichotomy between individuals and masses is simply a way to gain political power at the expense of the people.

The increase in the mpg by 1.5 is one of those things that accomdates moderation. It pissed everyone off on all sides which means it's a good thing.

Once again the old lie: If it is painful, if you don't like it, if it angers or annoys you, then it must be good for you. This time I'll sum up my point. Moderation is key to making this world a better place. I am not a utopian.. I'm just hoping people will gain a little common sense. Is that so wrong?

[taildragger]

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[Almondjoy]

This is great.... I'm completely amused by your total lack of sense. The masses are the collective way people are taught to think because they have no brain to think for themselves. It's the gov'ts job to protect this country from the masses. The masses is what let Hitler run Europe for 5 years. It is the masses they watch red fusion commericals and see the slogan "Who's yo soda".. and can't figure out that it's targeted for african-americans.. How are you going to brain washed into buying something because of slogan that identifies with your particular peer group??? Are you kidding me??? If you can't see how ridicilous this country has gotten because the lack of using a brain cell.. try looking at any other issue out there. Look at how polls are taken in this country. Half the polls are leading questions and the only smart people respond "I don't know" Those 3 or 4% of people that answer it have actually made the informed decision. "Should we invade Iraq?" AHHH the avg bonehead will answer yes or no with actually reading a single article.. without knowing any facts.. but because they felt like they should give an answer. Maybe you outta get a clue and find out what the masses really are.. before you start responding that we don't have a collective boneheaded society.

[Almondjoy]

So then you admit our society and espically the Christian one is rooted in evil. By that assumption now I realize why people in this country have it so wrong. How can you believe in the teachings of the bible but crave the excess that God teaches us not to crave. To be humble and to be happy that we are just alive to enjoy this world we live in. You've defiantly cleared the way for me. The 2nd coming of Christ is long overdue so that he can purge the people you so kindly speak of.

There is nothing wrong with being comfortable.. or seeking the things that someone on 20k a year can't afford... but you mistake this wanting with the unbridled greed that has infected this country. I gurantee there is but maybe 1% of top 10% richest people in this country that has lied cheated or stealed to get where they are today. Inherited wealth.. stolen wealth by lawyers.. please... you clearly have no clue how money flows through this country do you?

Obviously since you can't read I didn't say the sale of oil should be controlled by the free market... but the free market is so corrupted by the IQ level of children such as yourself I wouldn't trust it not to wait to zero hour to fix what it destroyed in the first place.

You are wrong... Moderation is the key to our society... if we all worked 40 hours a week our society wouldn't move along as fast as it does.. I agree.. but what is so good about speed anyways? See what you don't get is the basic blocks that have put this society together.. It's based on the evil that is in men.. not the good. Until you see that we will be miles apart on our views. And sadly our own people will pay the price.

[Almondjoy]

Absoutely not... and have many sins has he committed on his path there? How many people has he stepped on? How big of an *** must someone be until we had enough of them? How much intolerance are we willing to tolerate? Clinton, Lott, Byrd are all perfect examples of how much injustice and hate we are willing to put up with because of our love for success. Last I checked Jesus didn't cut any throats to achieve his success... why should the doctor be measured any differently?