by Justin Barnes

Created on: July 02, 2007

There are several compelling reasons for improving the efficiency of America's automobile fleet and few reasons not to. I'll start with the reasons that Congress should update the CAF standards.

First, it would reduce our dependence on foreign oil and as well as reducing our overall consumption of oil. After the original CAF standards were passed in 1975, oil consumption in America peaked in 1978 and remained below 1978 levels until 1998. Foreign oil imports peaked in 1979 and didn't reach that level again until 1993. While the CAF standards may not have been the only reason for these trends, they certainly played a role. So first and foremost, the CAF standards proved to be an effective way of reducing our dependence on oil and oil imports. Our dependence on foreign oil (and oil in general) makes us vulnerable to the whims of OPEC, not to mention the costs associated with political instability in oil producing countries. Furthermore, our military presence in these countries inflames national sentiments, costs us billions of dollars a year, and puts great stress on our armed forces. Make no mistake about it, we wouldn't care too much about what went on in the Middle East were it not in our interest to maintain a predictable supply of oil. That's why we have troops in Iraq instead of in places like Rwanda, Sudan, Cambodia, or Sri Lanka.

Another reason why the CAF standards need to be updated is that car exhaust remains one of the primary sources of air pollution in the U.S., releasing compounds like carbon monoxide that inhibit our breathing as well as smog and ground level ozone precursors. Moreover, the transportation sector (33% in 2005) is second to only the electric power sector (40% in 2005) in carbon dioxide emissions which contribute to global climate change. Reducing our fuel use would have immediate and long-term beneficial impacts for the environment. The electric power sector is already being required to comply with a wealth of regulations designed to support renewable, carbon neutral technologies and appliance manufacturers have dealt with increasingly stringent efficiency standards for the last 30 years. In this respect no one is picking on the auto industry. In fact, it is high time they got their act together and contributed to the drive to reduce environmental impacts from fossil fuel use.

As a counterpoint, it is no secret our domestic auto companies are in decline and that their dependence on light truck and SUV sales puts them in a poor position

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