FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                    CONTACT:
June 20, 2001                            Megan Fowler, 415-977-5627
                                         Ann Mesnikoff, 202-547-1141

HIGHER MILES PER GALLON STANDARDS WOULD SAVE CONSUMERS BILLIONS OF DOLLARS
New Report Confirms That Technology Exists to Save Consumers Money at the
Gas Pump and Cut Global Warming Pollution

Washington, DC -- The Sierra Club, US Public Interest Research Group, and
the National Environmental Trust released a report by the Union of
Concerned Scientists (UCS) today which showed that higher automobile miles
per gallon standards would save consumers billions of dollars at the gas
pump. According to the report, Drilling in Detroit: Tapping Automaker
Ingenuity to Build Safe and Efficient Automobiles, it would be economically
and technically feasible for automakers to meet a standard of more than 40
miles per gallon (mpg) by 2012 and 55 mpg by 2020, nearly a 75 percent
increase compared with today's fleet.

"Making cars go further on a gallon of gasoline is a simple solution to
halting the rising gas prices and global warming pollution that we face
here," said Dan Becker, Director of the Sierra Club's Global Warming and
Energy program. "Raising auto fuel economy standards is an essential
element to a balanced energy plan that offers quicker, cleaner, cheaper and
safer energy solutions, and we are disappointed that President Bush is not
acting immediately to raise these standards."

At a time when gasoline prices are high and the science on global warming
is more compelling than ever, President Bush's energy plan focuses on
drilling for more oil in the Arctic Wildlife Refuge and other wildlands
rather than increasing the use of energy efficient technology. The U.S.
Geological Survey predicts that there is only 6 months worth of recoverable
oil from the Arctic, and it would take ten years to reach consumers.  This
small amount of oil would have no impact on the price of gas, but would
irreparably harm this pristine wilderness. On the other hand, raising miles
per gallon standards to 40 mpg for cars and light trucks would save more
oil than we get from Persian Gulf imports, the Arctic Wildlife Refuge and
California offshore oil drilling combined.

"Instead of drilling for new oil in public lands, we should tap Detroit's
ingenuity to produce cars and trucks that travel 40 miles on each gallon of
gas," said David Friedman, the lead author of the report, and a Senior
Analyst for UCS's Clean Vehicles Program.  "Using existing technologies,
automakers could build vehicles that provide relief for consumers and the
environment."

Last year, cars and light trucks accounted for more than one-fifth of U.S.
global warming pollution, with U.S. emissions amounting to more than most
countries release from all sources combined.  Scientists link global
warming to the rising frequency and severity of extreme weather events.

"The biggest single step we can take to curb global warming is to make our
cars and light trucks go further on a gallon of gas," said Becker. "It is
far past time to implement this step."

Congress has not significantly updated fuel economy standards for cars and
light trucks since 1985. And as more Americans buy Sport Utility Vehicles,
which are allowed to meet lower miles per gallon standards than cars, auto
fuel economy has decreased seven percent since 1987.  However, recent polls
indicate that 89% of the public supports mandatory increases in fuel
economy.

Findings of the report include:
* Improving standards to 40 mpg would save car owners $3000 to more than
$5000 at the gas pump over the life of a vehicle.
* Consumers would enjoy net savings of billions of dollars annually after
subtracting the projected cost the new technology would add to the sticker
price of a vehicle.
* Improving auto fuel economy standards would create 40,000 jobs in the
auto industry by 2010.
* When fully implemented in 2012, a standard of 40 mpg would avert 374
million tons of global warming pollution annually.
* When fully implemented in 2012, a standard of 40 mpg would already have
saved more oil than the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge could produce.
* Automakers could achieve higher miles per gallon standards while
maintaining or improving auto safety. This is because a more efficient
transfer of power from the engine to the wheels, which has no impact on
vehicle safety, would account for most of the increase in fuel efficiency.


The Union of Concerned Scientists is a nonprofit partnership of scientist
and citizens combining rigorous scientific analysis, innovative policy
development and effective citizen advocacy to achieve practical
environmental solutions.

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