WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Tim Johnson on Wednesday joined with a bipartisan coalition of House members in support of a new attempt to increase automobile fuel efficiency requirements.

Rep. Johnson, R-Ill., is an original cosponsor of the legislation that would raise Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards from a current average of 24 miles per gallon to 33 MPG by 2016.

The legislation is being introduced by Science Committee Chairman Sherwood Boehlert, R-N.Y., and Rep. Ed Markey, D-MA.

“This is an overdue and common-sense response to providing consumers relief at the gas pump,” said Rep. Johnson. “The technology is available. The need is more compelling than ever. All we are lacking is the will of the Congress.”

Johnson has long been in support of higher CAFE standards and earlier this year voted in support of amendments to the Energy Bill that would have done so. That amendment did not make it into the final Energy Bill. This new legislation, HR 3762, will be considered as part of a broader response to the fuel crisis created by Hurricane Katrina.

According to the National Academy of Sciences, the technology already exists to achieve even greater mileage than is mandated in the bill without sacrificing vehicle features or safety. The Academy estimates significant fuel savings from an increase in CAFE standards.

Even after accounting for the cost of the new technologies, it is estimated that the average sport utility vehicle, pickup or minivan owner would save more than $2,000 over the life of the vehicle; car owners would save at least $1,000. That is assuming gasoline costs at only $2 a gallon.

Other original cosponsors of the Boehlert-Markey bill include Reps. Todd Platts, R-PA; John Lewis, D-GA; Mark Kirk, R-IL; Robert Menendez, D-NJ; Wayne Gilchrest, R-MD; Anna Eshoo, D-CA; Chris Shays, R-CT; Brad Miller, D-NC; Jim Leach, R-IA; Johnson Olver, D-MA; Jim Gerlach, R-PA; Dennis Cardoza, D-CA; Nancy Johnson R-CT; and Roscoe Bartlett, R-MD.

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