Press Release of Senator Cantwell

Senate Committee Passes Cantwell Plan Ensuring 80 Percent of Vehicles Sold in U.S. by 2015 Can Use Biofuels

Landmark flex fuel measure included in legislation to raise nationwide average fuel economy of cars, small trucks, and SUVs to 35 miles per gallon by 2020

Tuesday, May 08,2007

WASHINGTON, DC - Tuesday, the Senate Commerce Committee passed an amendment authored by U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) to require automakers to make 80 percent of their vehicles flex fuel compatible by 2015. Cantwell offered the measure as an amendment to a fuel economy bill she and Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) introduced in January. The Commerce Committee approved the amendment, as well as the overall fuel economy bill.

"While we are making progress on increasing our nation's biofuels production, we need to also make sure the cars on the road can use this promising alternative to petroleum," said Cantwell, a member of the Senate Commerce and Energy Committees. "By ensuring most of the cars and trucks sold in the next couple years can run on biofuel blends, we can give consumers a real choice at the gas pump during times of high gas prices, boost energy independence, and cut air and greenhouse gas emissions. Greater biofuels compatibility is key to confronting global warming and kicking our fossil fuels addiction."

Cantwell's amendment, also sponsored by Senators Byron Dorgan (D-ND), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and John Kerry (D-MA), would require that 50 percent of the vehicles sold in the U.S. in 2012 are flex fuel capable, meaning they can use any percentage blend of ethanol with gasoline, or biodiesel with petroleum diesel. The requirement increases to 80 percent in 2015. Under the legislation, the administration would have the ability to temporarily wave the requirement for certain vehicles where it is technologically infeasible for engines to have flex fuel compatibility, or manufacturers can prove that compliance would result in an economic hardship. Cantwell's amendment also contains a provision that will help inform consumers that their vehicles are able to use biofuels, with such measures as specially designated fuel caps.

Cantwell also successfully offered two other amendments at today's Commerce Committee markup. The first would require replacement tires to be labeled for energy efficiency properties, allowing drivers to save hundreds of dollars in avoided fuel costs over the lifetime of the tires. Another Cantwell measure tells the government to review the accuracy of fuel economy window stickers every five years, an issue Cantwell has long fought for. Both these amendments we approved by the committee.

The overall fuel economy legislation, which includes Cantwell's flex fuel measures, would increase the combined nationwide average fuel economy standards for SUVs, cars, small trucks, and all other vehicles up to 10,000 pounds, from 25 to 35 miles per gallon by 2020. Starting in 2011, it would also create new fuel economy standards for medium and heavy duty trucks that would increase by four percent each year.

The fuel economy legislation would achieve an 18 percent reduction in vehicular greenhouse gas emissions by 2025, a sum equal to 350 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions. This is the equivalent of taking 60 million cars off the road in one year. It would also reduce oil use by 2.1 million barrels per day by 2025—an amount almost equal to the oil we currently import from the Persian Gulf.


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Maria's Monday Memo To sign up for Maria's weekly newsletter, enter your email address: Search The Site	News Press Release of Senator Cantwell Senate Committee Passes Cantwell Plan Ensuring 80 Percent of Vehicles Sold in U.S. by 2015 Can Use Biofuels Landmark flex fuel measure included in legislation to raise nationwide average fuel economy of cars, small trucks, and SUVs to 35 miles per gallon by 2020 Tuesday, May 08,2007 WASHINGTON, DC - Tuesday, the Senate Commerce Committee passed an amendment authored by U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) to require automakers to make 80 percent of their vehicles flex fuel compatible by 2015. Cantwell offered the measure as an amendment to a fuel economy bill she and Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) introduced in January. The Commerce Committee approved the amendment, as well as the overall fuel economy bill. "While we are making progress on increasing our nation's biofuels production, we need to also make sure the cars on the road can use this promising alternative to petroleum," said Cantwell, a member of the Senate Commerce and Energy Committees. "By ensuring most of the cars and trucks sold in the next couple years can run on biofuel blends, we can give consumers a real choice at the gas pump during times of high gas prices, boost energy independence, and cut air and greenhouse gas emissions. Greater biofuels compatibility is key to confronting global warming and kicking our fossil fuels addiction." Cantwell's amendment, also sponsored by Senators Byron Dorgan (D-ND), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and John Kerry (D-MA), would require that 50 percent of the vehicles sold in the U.S. in 2012 are flex fuel capable, meaning they can use any percentage blend of ethanol with gasoline, or biodiesel with petroleum diesel. The requirement increases to 80 percent in 2015. Under the legislation, the administration would have the ability to temporarily wave the requirement for certain vehicles where it is technologically infeasible for engines to have flex fuel compatibility, or manufacturers can prove that compliance would result in an economic hardship. Cantwell's amendment also contains a provision that will help inform consumers that their vehicles are able to use biofuels, with such measures as specially designated fuel caps. Cantwell also successfully offered two other amendments at today's Commerce Committee markup. The first would require replacement tires to be labeled for energy efficiency properties, allowing drivers to save hundreds of dollars in avoided fuel costs over the lifetime of the tires. Another Cantwell measure tells the government to review the accuracy of fuel economy window stickers every five years, an issue Cantwell has long fought for. Both these amendments we approved by the committee. The overall fuel economy legislation, which includes Cantwell's flex fuel measures, would increase the combined nationwide average fuel economy standards for SUVs, cars, small trucks, and all other vehicles up to 10,000 pounds, from 25 to 35 miles per gallon by 2020. Starting in 2011, it would also create new fuel economy standards for medium and heavy duty trucks that would increase by four percent each year. The fuel economy legislation would achieve an 18 percent reduction in vehicular greenhouse gas emissions by 2025, a sum equal to 350 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions. This is the equivalent of taking 60 million cars off the road in one year. It would also reduce oil use by 2.1 million barrels per day by 2025—an amount almost equal to the oil we currently import from the Persian Gulf.
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