New report calls for mpg boost, not ANWR drilling

A new report by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group urges President Bush to support a 40 mpg fuel economy standard for new automobiles instead of ANWR drilling. It notes that:

• Had Bush imposed a 40 mpg standard in 2001, American consumers today would be saving $5 billion at the gas pumps or about $300 per car.

• A 40 mpg standard would save four times more gasoline than ANWR drilling is expected to produce at its peak.

• A 40 mpg standard would save 350,000 barrels of oil per day, or about half of what we now import from Iraq.

• The National Academy of Sciences has already shown that the technology exists to produce safe vehicles that get 40 mpg.

• The Bush administration's own Energy Information Administration has reported that the energy plan recently adopted by the House would actually increase U.S. imports of foreign oil by 85 percent by 2025, and that it will do nothing to reduce gas prices.

"Last month, President Bush wished he had a magic wand to lower gas prices, but with the stroke of an ordinary pen, he could require cars to go farther on a gallon of gas," said Anna Aurilio, Legislative Director for U.S. PIRG. "Instead President Bush continues to push for an energy bill that won't save oil or protect consumers."

This report seems to be mostly a compilation of previously reported facts. But bringing them all together has value, if only to turn up the heat a little on those who have repeatedly voted against common-sense efficiency improvements.

[Technorati tags: ANWR, Oil]