Adjust Text Size
Media Center

Media Center

Rep. Edward J. Markey, Chairman - Stay Connected with Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and RSS Feeds
The Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming addressed our nation's energy, economic and national security challenges during the 110th and 111th Congresses.

This is an archived version of the committee's website, where the public, students and the media can continue to access and learn from our work.

HEARING 6/26: Select Committee to Discuss Fuel Economy As Solution to High Prices

MEDIA ADVISORY FOR THURSDAY, JUNE 26th, 1:30 PM

Contact: Select Committee, 202-225-4012

More Miles Per Gallon: Consumer Solutions to $4 Gas

Select Committee Hearing to Discuss Fuel Economy As Solution to High Prices

WASHINGTON (June 24, 2008) – At a time when gasoline costs $4 or more no matter where you go, high mileage cars, trucks and SUVs play a key role in helping consumers fight against record high gas prices. Money-saving hybrid and electric technology solutions exist today that can increase the gas mileage of cars to over 100 miles per gallon, but have not yet permeated the market to give consumers more choice on car lots across the country. Along with aggressive moves by the auto industry, the federal government could speed up the process, reaching higher mileage standards faster by using more realistic gas price assumptions when deciding what fuel economy standards to set.

On Thursday, the Select Committee on Energy Independence & Global Warming will discuss the future role of the auto industry and our federal government in fighting gas prices and examine the fuel economy standards proposed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in response to the enactment of the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007. NHTSA’s proposal calls for the fleet of cars and light trucks to average 31.6 miles per gallon by model year 2015 – but when calculating these standards, NHTSA used Energy Information Administration (EIA) assumptions about gas prices that defy reality, ranging from $2.42/gallon in 2016 to $2.51/gallon in 2030.

The administration concedes that gas prices are the most critical element in determining mile per gallon increases in America’s vehicle fleet. At a hearing before the Select Committee earlier this month, the EIA said NHTSA should use the high end analysis for gas prices, which would have the effect of significantly raising the achievable miles per gallon in future vehicles.

WHAT: Select Committee Hearing, “$4 Gasoline and Fuel Economy: Auto Industry at a Crossroads”

WHEN: Thursday, June 26, 2008 at 1:30 PM

WHERE: 210 Cannon House Office Building, Washington, DC
and on the web at globalwarming.house.gov

WHO:
The Honorable Tyler Duvall, Assistant Secretary for Policy, Department of Transportation
Mr. Dominique Thormann, Senior Vice President, Nissan North America, Inc.
Mr. Shai Agassi, Founder and CEO, Project Better Place
Mr. Torben Holm, Consultant, DONG Energy A/S

Mr. Jeffrey R. Holmstead, Partner, Bracewell & Giuliani LLP

PLEASE NOTE: The House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming was created to explore American clean energy solutions that end our reliance on foreign oil and reduce carbon pollution.

The Select Committee was active during the 110th and 111th Congresses. This is an archived version of the website, to ensure that the public has ongoing access to the Select Committee record. This website, including external links, will not be updated after Jan. 3rd, 2010.

Return to Press Releases »

Add to your del.icio.us del.icio.us   Digg this story Digg this   Reddit Reddit   Stumble it Stumbleupon  


 Print This Page