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Sen. Klobuchar Part of Bipartisan Group that Announces Compromise on Fuel Economy Standards

Agreement key in keeping the Senate Energy bill on track

June 21, 2007

(Washington, D.C.) U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar joined together with a bipartisan group of Senators that struck a deal raising Corporate Average Fuel (CAFE) standards in the Senate energy bill today.  The bipartisan legislation was approved by a unanimous voice vote after facing stiff resistance from other Senators. The bipartisan legislation raises the fleet wide average fuel economy standards for all cars, trucks and SUVs by 10 miles per gallon over 10 years – or from 25 to 35 miles per gallon by model year 2020.

At the announcement of the bipartisan agreement with eight other Senators, Klobuchar noted, “This legislation will not only save Americans money, but is better for the environment, and improves our national security. It is simply unacceptable that we have new cars and trucks today that are lower than they were during most of the Reagan Administration.  She concluded saying, “The gas mileage standard hasn’t changed since I was in Junior High—it’s about time.”

The legislation originated as the “Ten-in-Ten” fuel economy act in the Commerce Committee, which Senator Klobuchar sits on.  Klobuchar has backed the legislation from the start and was pleased to see the bipartisan language pass the full Senate today. 

Today’s compromise legislation fully achieves the goals of the original “Ten-in-Ten” fuel economy legislation by not only raising the fuel economy standards, but also requiring that 50 percent of vehicles be flex fuel capable by 2015.  Klobuchar was one of the Senate leaders who insisted that the flex fuel standard be a part of the bill.

The legislation also provides a market solution for manufacturers to meet fuel economy standards by establishing a fuel economy credit trading system between automakers. And if meeting the mandate would adversely impact safety or not be cost effective, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has the discretion to reduce it to a feasible level. 

The Senate is expected to vote on the final passage of the Energy Bill tonight.