Tell Representative Dingell -- Support Better Fuel Economy Standards Better fuel efficiency is the biggest single step we can take to address the global warming problem; it may also be the only way to save the American auto industry from the poor choices of its overpaid executives. When gas prices are through the roof, and the competition is introducing cars that get 125 miles per gallon, Detroit needs to start facing reality.
However, a powerful obstacle stands in the way of our efforts to improve fuel efficiency and American competitiveness: your representative in Congress, John Dingell. Maybe it's due to the fact that he's taken hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from the auto industry over the years. Or maybe it's because his wife Debbie is a top-level executive with both General Motors and the GM Foundation.
National security imperatives, progress on global warming, and air pollution reduction goals are all tightly linked to building a more fuel-efficient fleet. So Representatives Markey and Platts have introduced legislation to raise fuel economy standards 4% per year, to a national average of 35 miles per gallon by model year 2018. According to experts at the National Academy of Sciences, this goal is entirely achieveable with current technology.
Tell Congressman Dingell to defy his auto-industry donors and support what his constituents and the American people want -- significant increases in fuel economy standards, on an accelerated schedule.
Here's what I sent.
As your constituent, I'm writing to ask that you publicly announce your support of the fuel economy bill proposed by Representatives Markey and Platts, and agree to co-sponsor this legislation in the House. Better fuel economy standards are the biggest single step we can take to start addressing the global warming problem, and our standards are far behind many other countries. If Al Gore is right, our fuel economy standards lag even China's.
Many are concerned that this will seriously affect the viability of the American auto industry. But American workers and businesspeople are smart and resourceful. We will be able to adapt to higher fuel standards. But global warming is something we cannot adapt to. If I were in the auto industry, I would rather have high fuel standards than global warming.
Additionally, the Markey-Platts bill (and counterpart "Ten-in-Ten" legislation in the Senate) has been carefully crafted by your fellow Democrats so as not to detriment U.S. automakers. In fact, because the demand for better-mileage cars is so high right now -- and only going to get higher as gas prices continue to rise -- this legislation could help move U.S. automakers in a more profitable direction.
I thank you for all your hard work on progressive issues over the years, and I hope you'll do the right thing on THIS important issue. We cannot only look after our own interests. We are all in this together.
I look forward to your reply to my letter.
If you're one of Dingell's constituents, please send him a letter at this link.
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