Contact: Ernie Blazar 202.224.7627 Shana Stribling 202.224.0309
Tuesday, July 29, 2003

WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Kit Bond today thanked his colleagues for choosing safety and jobs when they voted to accept his amendment to the Energy Bill. The Bond/Levin Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFÉ) amendment passed the U.S. Senate today by a vote of 66 - 30. This amendment will protect jobs, safety, consumer choice, and continue to pursue reasonable, scientifically achievable environmental improvements.

"At the heart of this issue is safety and jobs," said Bond. "Quite frankly the proposed new fuel standards many of my colleagues were supporting would threaten both. Today's victory is good news for the American economy and the safety of our families."

Bond argued that the CAFÉ amendments many of his colleagues have introduced, if enacted, will basically eliminate the minivan, Sport Utility Vehicle and light trucks in this country -- and that means it will eliminate jobs. Also, the new arbitrary fuel efficiency standards will have to be met by decreasing vehicle weight. And statistics indicate that decreases in weight directly effect the fatality rates on roads and bridges.

Believing that its possible to protect the environment while preserving safety and jobs at the same time, Bond teamed with Senator Carl Levin (D-Michigan), Bond crafted a more sensible package that is scientifically-based rather than politically-influenced.

This past Thursday Bond introduced the new Bond/Levin Amendment. This amendment directs the experts at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) intended to consider key elements such as technological feasibility, cost, safety, emissions controls, consumer choice and effects on American jobs. Unfortunately, some Senators want legislation that fails to balance these important issues essentially mandating a market that the American people do not support.

Currently there are more than 50 car models with fuel economy ratings above 30 miles per gallon, but few consumers buy these models. Bond argued that advanced technology vehicles, including hybrid-electric, fuel cell and diesel lean burn vehicles, "offer the promise of significant increases in fuel efficiency without sacrificing consumer demands for safety, performance, comfort and utility," said Bond.

Bond also believes Congress should provide consumer tax credits that encourage the purchase of new types of highly fuel-efficient vehicles. Similarly, Bond supports the use of clean-burning renewable fuel sources like corn-based ethanol and soy-based bio-diesel fuel. Included in the Bond/Levin CAFE amendment are provisions intended tobiodiesel and bioderived hycarbon fuel use in Federal fleets.

Kit Bond is Missouri’s senior Senator and is now in his third term after having served the state previously during two terms as Governor.