More
momentum gaining in Congress to increase CAFE
Wednesday,
January 10, 2007
"There
is a dangerous amount of momentum" in Congress behind
tougher corporate average fuel economy regulations,
General Motors Corp. Vice Chairman Bob Lutz said Tuesday
at the North American International Auto Show. (more)
Of course, what costs will Congress be willing to accept
to achieve an increase in CAFE? Will Congress risk tens of
thousands of more auto jobs in Detroit to increase CAFE?
That seems like political suicide.
Regardless, I say before Congress increases CAFE, extend
tax credits for hybrid vehicles. Also, make buying a
hybrid part of the small business tax credit. Give
American companies some R&D money to develop
lithium-ion technologies - the kind of technologies that
have the ability to make any proposed increase in CAFE
child's play.
Still, Congress should increase CAFE, but they should do
so in conjunction with automakers and consumers. Provide
tax credits for consumers to buy advanced technologies.
Give American automakers and their suppliers tax
incentives to develop the types of revolutionary
automobiles that won't just end foreign oil dependency and
significantly reduce emissions, but will add hi-tech jobs
to America's payroll.
When many in Congress have been driving gas-guzzlers for
years, it's just a little disingenuous to simply blame
automakers. This is one of the greatest issues facing
America and it will require a revolution in consumer
thinking, automaking and congressional pork.
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