The Democratic Senate
The US Senate, under the control of the Democrats, has voted to not drill in the Alaskan Artic for more oil, and to not increase the Corporate Average Fuel Enconomy (CAFE) requirements for automobiles. So much for taking a stand on future US energy policy.
It's one thing to criticize the Republican administration's energy policy, but when given a chance to increase gas mileage requirements and remove the exemption for SUVs, to do nothing constructive themselves is unconscionable. With SUVs becoming a staple of the American highways and their being considered a truck and exempt from mileage standards, it is undermining any attempt at even maintaining national gas mileage standards. Not pushing for drilling in the Artic can be viewed as environmentally sound, but not requiring increases in vehicle gas mileage and including SUVs is a sellout to the industry, an industry that fills the pockets of politicians come election time. CAFE standards have not been increased since they were set in 1975!
It's time that the US Congress begin acting responsibly and enact legislation that benefits American society as a whole, and not the special interests that prowl the corridors of the nation's capitol. The auto and SUV CAFE requirements need serious updating. Crying about Americans being denied their vehicle of choice is a red-herring and does nothing to insure the US' energy self-sufficiency in the coming years.
04/23/02 ( 309 )
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