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IB90122
MOST RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
On July 31, 2003, the Senate, facing obstacles to passage of its comprehensive energy
bill (S. 14), substituted the energy legislation the Senate had passed in the 107th Congress.
It is in conference, now as H.R. 6, in the 108th Congress. The Senate bill would require the
Secretary of Transportation to issue, not later than 15 months after enactment, "new
regulations setting forth increased fuel economy standards" reflecting "maximum feasible
fuel economy levels" consistent with factors set out in the original legislation authorizing the
corporate average fuel economy standards -the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA,
P.L. 94-163). The Senate bill also includes language to freeze "pickup truck" CAFE at 20.7
mpg; however, "pickup truck" is not defined in the bill. The House version of H.R. 6, passed
on April 11, 2003, would authorize appropriations to NHTSA to conduct rulemakings and
would require a study on the feasibility and effects of reducing fuel use by automobiles.
During markup in the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, an amendment by
Representative Markey to require reductions of 5% in automotive fuel usage by 2010 and an
additional 5% by 2015 was defeated (14-38). An amendment offered on the floor of the
House to include only the 5% savings by 2010 was defeated (162-268) as well.
On April 1, 2003, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
issued a final rule to boost the corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) of light-duty trucks
by 1.5 mpg by 2007. The rule sets the interim standards at 21.0 mpg for model year
(MY)2005, 21.6 mpg for MY2006, and 22.2 for MY2007. It is the first increase in CAFE
since MY1996. However, the rulemaking has not quelled interest in CAFE. Given that both
the House and Senate version would authorize NHTSA to conduct rulemakings, it seems
likely that this language could be retained by the conferees. Whether or not attempts will be
made to retain or add other provisions is unclear.
BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
CAFE in the 108th Congress: Omnibus and Other Energy
Legislation
The conferees on omnibus energy legislation (H.R. 4) in the 107th Congress agreed to
House language that would have required a reduction in light truck fuel consumption of 5
billion gallons during the period, MY2006-MY2012. The 107th Congress adjourned without
taking final action on the bill. However, a final role issued by the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA) on April 1, 2003, requires a boost in light truck fuel
economy to 22.2 miles per gallon (mpg) by model year (MY) 2007.
This rulemaking did not quell interest in CAFE. In the 108th Congress, the House
version of an omnibus energy bill (H.R. 6) passed in the House on April 11, 2003, would
authorize appropriations to NHTSA to conduct rulemakings and would require a study on
the feasibility and effects of reducing fuel use by automobiles. During markup in the House
Committee on Energy and Commerce, an amendment by Representative Markey to require
reductions of 5% in automotive fuel usage by 2010 and an additional 5% by 2015 was
CRS-1
09-22-03