Prometheus 6   

Plan to Toughen Fuel-Mileage Rules Thwarted
By Richard Simon
Times Staff Writer

July 30, 2003

WASHINGTON - Democrats from automobile-making states and Republicans wary of government regulation blocked a Senate proposal Tuesday to toughen fuel-mileage standards for motor vehicles, virtually ensuring the provision will be left out of any new energy bill.

The 65-32 vote against the higher requirements culminated a fierce lobbying effort that pitted environmentalists against car manufacturers and the auto workers union.

Environmentalists have called tougher fuel-economy rules the most important step Congress could take to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil and emissions of carbon dioxide, a gas linked to global warming.

"How can you have a serious energy bill and not ... address the fuel efficiency of vehicles?" asked Sen. Richard Durbin (D-Ill.).

But with the House rejecting a similar measure earlier this year, environmentalists held little hope that the energy legislation would include the stiffer mileage standards.

Auto makers and auto union leaders contended that the proposal would hurt their industry's competitiveness - resulting in job losses - and lead to lighter, less safe vehicles.

"This is not the place, on the Senate floor, to make a complex decision that should involve a whole host of factors," said Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.).