August 1, 2007
Contact: Robin Winchell (202) 225-4031

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Charlie Melancon (D-LA) made the following statement today after members of the fiscally conservative Democratic Blue Dog Coalition announced their endorsement of legislation to increase Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards.  The bill, H.R. 2927, raises CAFE standards significantly while protecting American jobs.  Rep. Melancon is a member of the Blue Dog Coalition and co-chair of its Energy Task Force. 

"Americans are paying the price at the pump for our outdated fuel economy standards," said Rep. Melancon.  "Congress needs to act in a responsible way to both improve gas mileage and reduce the greenhouse gases we are producing.

Rep. Melancon continued, "This bill is the best deal for Louisianians because it maintains a separate fuel economy standard for light trucks, which many people in rural communities depend upon for their livelihoods.  Among all the proposals to raise CAFE standards that are circulating in Congress right now, H.R. 2927 represents the most realistic and balanced option on the table and I am pleased the Blue Dog's have decided to support it."

As co-chair of the Blue Dog's Energy Task Force, Rep. Melancon helped draft a set of energy principles that represent a moderate and comprehensive approach to America's energy policy that emphasizes a focus on national and economic security.  The "Blue Dog Energy Principles" represent a broad range of stakeholders, with the underlying belief that our country's current reliance on foreign energy supplies threatens our national security and our ability to compete in the global marketplace.

H.R. 2927 requires the U.S. Secretary of Transportation to prescribe fuel economy standards at the maximum feasible level for each car model year.  In addition, the bill also requires the Secretary to mandate separate standards for Model Year 2022 such that standards cars and pickup trucks standards will be no less than a combined 32 miles per gallon (mpg) and no more than a combined 35 mpg.  H.R. 2927 keeps in place the current separate standards for regular cars and light trucks, which include sports utility vehicles.  Alternative CAFE legislation largely calls for all automobiles to be grouped into one category.

H.R. 2927 also establishes a public education program to inform consumers how best to conserve fuel when using their vehicles and how consistently replacing car tires can have a real impact on the fuel economy of vehicles.  The bill is currently pending in the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce with the support of 137 cosponsors.