US Congress raises auto fuel standards, boosts biofuels

The US Congress overwhelmingly approved Tuesday a bill raising fuel efficiency standards for the first time since 1975 and offering massive support for biofuels, in an effort to slash US dependence on foreign oil.

The bill requires the auto industry to reduce fuel consumption in most cars and light trucks by 40 percent, raising the fuel efficiency standard to 35 miles per gallon (15 kilometers per liter) by 2020.

The current Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standard is around 27.5 miles per gallon for cars and just over 22 miles per gallon for light trucks.

The bill also calls for a sixfold increase in the use of ethanol, a biofuel, to 136 billion liters per year by 2022. The provision is a boon to US farmers as the United States uses corn to produce ethanol.

In addition, the legislation sets new energy efficiency standards requiring the use of more electricity-efficient light bulbs and appliances.

Pressure for action on energy policy has been mounting as Americans become increasingly frustrated at rising gasoline prices amid warnings that the United States must wean itself of foreign oil from the unstable Middle East.

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NST 19 Dec 2007