Pelosi Statement on Administration's Fuel Economy Proposal

April 22, 2008

Washington, D.C. - Speaker Nancy Pelosi released the following statement on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's announcement today of an aggressive fuel economy proposal that will serve as the first critical step toward implementing the historic energy bill passed by Congress last December:

"Today, the Bush Administration should be commended for taking a critical first step in implementing the first legislated increase in CAFE standards in 32 years, as enacted in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. The proposed standard, which would reach 31.6 miles per gallon by 2015, will save consumers money at the pump, reduce our dangerous dependence on imported oil and reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.

"However, despite two federal court rulings and Congress' decision to reject the Administration's position that enacted energy legislation should preempt the authority of states to regulate greenhouse gas vehicle emissions, the Administration has chosen to trot out the same tired old arguments. The Administration is continuing to block climate change progress by asserting that California doesn't have the right to move forward with its own global warming regulations. That is completely unjustified."