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IB90122
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.
Debate on the Senate energy bill, S. 14, resumed in late July. However, on July 31,
2003, the Senate, facing obstacles to passage of S. 14, substituted the text of H.R. 4 from
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.
Given that both the House and Senate versions of H.R. 6 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.
In this respect, it may be useful to detail Senate action on S. 14 before the current year's
bill was abandoned in favor of the previous year's legislation. Prior to that action on July
31, 2003, there had been some debate and attempts to amend the CAFE provisions of S. 14.
That Senate energy bill would have:
! required that, in determining "maximum feasible average fuel economy,"
NHTSA consider technological feasibility and economic practicability, the
effect of other standards such as emissions on fuel economy, the
relationship between fuel economy and vehicle safety, the effect of higher
fuel economy standards on employment, and the nation's need to conserve
energy;
! required that NHTSA provide an environmental assessment of the effects of
any boost in CAFE standards;
extended the CAFE credit for dual-fueled vehicles;
! required that federal agencies increase the fuel economy of their fleets by 3
mpg above a baseline of the fleet average for vehicles purchased in 1999;
and
authorized $5 million for carrying out the provisions of the section during
MY2004-MY2008.
On July 29, the Senate adopted S.Amdt. 1386 (66-30), which included provisions to:
! require NHTSA to establish new standards for passenger cars not more than
30 months after enactment, and for non-passenger vehicles by April 2006.
It would establish additional considerations that must be weighed by
NHTSA in determining "maximum feasible average fuel economy."
establish expedited procedures for congressional legislation that would set
new standards if NHTSA failed to meet the above deadlines; and
authorize appropriations in FY2204-2006 for research and development on
hybrid and diesel-fueled vehicles, and require that agencies of the executive
branch acquire hybrid and alternative-fueled vehicles so long as they meet
the agency's needs.
CRS-2
09-22-03
