If Feds Don't Raise Fuel Efficiency, Do It Yourself!

Maryland Delegates have approved a bill that will have raise its Fuel Efficiency Standard to 43 miles per gallon. This is a great way to help stop global warming, because by increasing fuel efficiency we will use less gasoline (which is made by fossil fuel mostly from the Middle East). Ergo we would actually conserve energy for better use.

But what about the Federal Government? They have not raised their MPG for a long time. Even today, they oppose initiatives such as this:

Carmakers estimate $3,000 would be added to consumers' costs. And they argue that by adopting California's emissions standards, Maryland, New York, New Jersey and other states are ceding their power if California should decide to tweak its regulations.

"This legislation will result in higher costs, reduce choices and give California the authority to make decisions about the vehicles Marylanders drive," said Charles Territo, spokesman for the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, which lobbied heavily against the bill.

What he mean was higher production costs in the making of gas guzzling vehicles and/or not being able make SUV's anymore (unless they can raise their fuel efficiency, which may never happen). And higher production costs affect the bottom line. This is why they opposed such laws, they rather keep making profit instead of sacrificing some profit to improving fuel efficiency of their cars instead of going straight to their fat wallets. The only way they would be forced to raise their fuel efficiency at this point is for Congress to raise it's national fuel efficiency standard. And I prefer it to be 60 MPG.

For more info about issues such as this check out 40MPG.org