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Alliance to Save Energy Points Finger At Congress/Auto Manufacturers

8 March 2000

As Heavy Summer Driving Season Approaches... Alliance to Save Energy Points Finger At Congress/Auto Manufacturers for High Oil Prices

    WASHINGTON, March 7 "American drivers are the latest
victims of Congress and auto manufacturers' refusal to help get U.S. oil
demand under control.  Auto manufacturers are dragging their feet getting
fuel-efficient technologies for SUVs and cars into the market place --
technologies that would weaken the grip OPEC has on our oil-dependant country
-- and Congress is letting them get away with it," states Alliance President
David M. Nemtzow.
    Consumers driving economy cars could spend some $400 more this year for
gas, and those driving inefficient SUVs could spend somewhere from $800-$1000
more as gas prices could reach an average of $1.75-$1.80 per gallon by the
beginning of the summer.
    "The impact of the high gas prices hasn't truly been felt yet.  By
Memorial Day, when the summer driving season kicks off, gas prices will be
even higher," concludes Nemtzow.  "Although nothing Congress and auto
manufactures can do at this point will help the summer's high gas prices,
consumers should demand that Congress get fuel-efficient technologies on the
road as soon as possible."
    Alliance President David M. Nemtzow testified before the House
Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee last month in support of increased
Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards and urged the Committee to
push the automotive industry to introduce its advancing technologies.

    The Alliance to Save Energy is a coalition of prominent business,
government, environmental, and consumer leaders who promote the efficient and
clean use of energy worldwide to benefit consumers, the environment, economy,
and national security.