United States Senate Committee on
Commerce, Science & Transportation
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Press Releases
For Immediate Release
12/19/07
Contact: Joe Brenckle - Republican Press Office 202-224-3991
Brian Eaton w/Stevens 202-224-0445
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Stevens Praises Historic Fuel Economy Increase Signed into Law
Bipartisan Agreement Would Raise Fuel Economy Standards for First Time in Decades
 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – President George W. Bush today signed into law a bipartisan measure sponsored by Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) to increase fuel economy for cars and light trucks to 35 miles per gallon by the year 2020.  This raises fuel economy standards for cars for the first time since 1975.  The provision was included as part of H.R. 6, the Renewable Fuels, Consumer Protection, and Energy Efficiency Act of 2007 which passed the Senate on December 13, 2007 and the House on December 18, 2007.  Senator Stevens was the first member of Congress this year to introduce legislation (S.183) to increase fuel economy standards for cars and light trucks and pushed the Senate to pass a bipartisan agreement in June as part of H.R. 6. 

“This historic agreement will raise fuel economy standards for the first time in decades,” said Senator Stevens.  “The only way our nation will achieve energy independence is through a combination of initiatives such as conservation, domestic production, and the development of alternative sources of energy.  Not only will increasing fuel economy standards limit our nation’s dependence on foreign oil, it will also significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”

Senator Stevens brokered this measure to raise fuel economy standards for cars and light trucks in H.R. 6, which includes the following requirements:

 

  • requires the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), beginning in 2011, to annually increase the nationwide fleet fuel economy by establishing separate fuel economy standards for cars and light trucks to achieve a fleet-wide average of 35 miles per gallon by 2020.  For the years 2021-2030, car and light truck fuel economy standards will increase at the maximum feasible rate; and

 

  • requires NHTSA to establish a program for medium and heavy duty trucks (including work trucks) to set fuel economy standards at the maximum feasible rate.

                                                             
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December 2007 Press Releases  « November | January »   « 2006 | 2008 » 
 
19th -  Senate Approves Nominees for DOC, STB, PHMSA, USCG, and NOAA
 
19th -  Congress Approves Stevens Provision to Exempt Universal Service Fund from Antideficiency Act
 
19th -  Congress Approves Stevens Provision to Help Small Businesses in Rural America
 
19th -  Congress Approves Measure to Expand Internet and Digital Access to Minority Schools and Colleges
 
19th -  Congress Approves Stevens-Inouye Provision on IUU Fishing
 
19th -  Inouye Applauds Signing of Monumental Energy Legislation
 
19th -  current Press Release
 
18th -  Commerce Committee Approves STB and Amtrak Nominees, USCG Promotions
 
17th -  Senate Passes Stevens Legislation to Extend Do-Not-Call Registry
 
17th -  FMCA, ATA, Teamsters among Witnesses for Truck Driver HOS Hearing
 
14th -  Commerce Committee to Hear Testimony from STB, Amtrak, PHMSA Nominees
 
14th -  Coast Guard, NOAA, GAO among Witnesses for Oil Spills Hearing
 
14th -  President Signs Stevens Bill to Allow Commercial Pilots to Fly until Age 65
 
14th -  Commerce Committee Weekly Round Up -- Dec. 10th - 14th
 
13th -  Senate Approves Landmark Legislation to Increase Fleetwide Average Fuel Efficiency 10 Miles Per Gallon Over 10 Years
 
13th -  New Date Set for Truck Driver HOS Hearing
 
13th -  Senate Approves Stevens Provision to Increase Fuel Economy
 
13th -  Senate Approves Pool and Spa Safety Act as Part of Energy Package
 
13th -  Stevens Pushes for Deployment of Broadband in Rural America
 
13th -  Inouye Applauds Senate Passage of Historic Fuel Economy Legislation
 
13th -  Inouye Introduces Bill to Correct Flawed FCC Forbearance Process
 
13th -  Inouye Calls for Transparent Regulatory Process at FCC
 
12th -  Senate Approves Changes to Age 60 Rule
 
12th -  Congress Approves Stevens-Inouye Provision to Allow Commercial Pilots to Fly Past Age 60
 
12th -  Stevens Pushes for Updated National Runway Safety Plan
 
12th -  Commerce Committee to Hear Testimony from FAA Administrator, DOT Assist. Secretary Nominees
 
11th -  Commerce Subcommittee to Examine Oil Spill Threats
 
7th -  Commerce Committee Weekly Round Up -- Dec. 3rd - 7th
 
6th -  Stevens Urges Passage of Decency Legislation
 
5th -  Senator Hutchison Named Ranking Member of Aviation Subcommittee
 
4th -  Inouye Leads Commerce Committee Approval of Climate Change and Ocean Acidification Legislation
 
4th -  Inouye: Media Ownership Act Provides Transparency in FCC Proceedings
 
4th -  Stevens Praises Senator Lott for Leadership on Commerce Committee
 
4th -  Committee Approves Measure to Deal With Increased Ocean Acidification
 
4th -  Transportation Subcommittee to Examine Truck Driver Safety
Public Information Office: 508 Dirksen Senate Office Bldg • Washington, DC 20510-6125
Tel: 202-224-5115
Hearing Room: 253 Russell Senate Office Bldg • Washington, DC 20510-6125
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