Statement by the Pew Campaign for Fuel Efficiency on Today's House Energy Bill Vote

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18, 2007; Phyllis Cuttino, director of the Pew Charitable Trusts Campaign for Fuel Efficiency, issued the following statement on today's U.S. House vote that sends the energy bill with a provision to increase fuel efficiency standards to 35 miles per gallon by 2020 to President Bush:

"Americans demanded action on energy security and global warming and Congress responded. This new fuel efficiency standard shows how powerful these issues have become -- and they're not going away."

"Just two years ago, 62 members of the Senate opposed any increase in fuel efficiency. Just six months ago, the auto industry was saying 35 miles per gallon was 'unachievable.' Today, in a triumph of policy, process and politics, an energy bill has passed the House that will save 1.1 million barrels of oil a day, $25 billion for consumers annually at the pump in 2020. And, it makes the auto industry the first major sector of the American economy that will reduce its global warming pollution -- by the equivalent of taking 28 million cars off the road. There's nothing underwhelming about that.

"Some may criticize this bill for falling short, but they fail to recognize this significant achievement, unimaginable just months ago, and ignore its implications for the larger climate change debate."

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