Resolution to Freeze CAFÉ Standards Exposed

The Resolution to Freeze CAFÉ Standards does not include adoption or approval information. ALEC has attempted to distance itself from this piece of legislation after the launch of ALECexposed.org in 2011, but it has done nothing to get it repealed in the states where it previously pushed for it to be made into law.

ALEC Bill Text

Summary

This model resolution directs Congress to freeze Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards for cars and light trucks at current levels.

Model Resolution

Section 1. {Short Title}

This Resolution hall be known as the Resolution to Freeze CAFE Standards.

Section 2. {Model Resolution}

WHEREAS, the United States Congress enacted the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) program of 1975, in an attempt to promote energy conservation and energy independence: and

WHEREAS, the program consists of average mileage standards imposed on passenger car and light truck fleets sold each year by each manufacturer; and

WHEREAS, the program has now been on the books for 20 years, and its lack of effectiveness can be measured; and

WHEREAS, contrary to original predictions, independent studies show that CAFE standards have done little to reduce U.S. gasoline consumption and has not reduced American reliance on foreign oil; and

WHEREAS, higher CAFE standards run counter to U.S. consumer demand, restrict the availability of popular vehicles and vehicle options such as air conditioning and four wheel drive, and drive up consumer prices; and

WHEREAS, CAFE standards have resulted in smaller, lighter vehicles, which provide less crash protection than larger vehicles; and

WHEREAS, respected safety researchers have demonstrated the downsizing and down weighting of U.S. cars has already resulted in thousands of additional traffic deaths and injuries each year; and

WHEREAS, increased CAFE standards could result in the incorporation of alternative lightweight materials that may be less recyclable; and

WHEREAS, higher CAFE standards will not affect any potential global climate change, because vehicles subject to CAFE standards emit only one and one-half percent (1.5%) of all global man-made greenhouse gases; and

WHEREAS, higher CAFE standards do nothing to reduce smog or other vehicle-related pollution, and may actually interfere with clean air goals; and -

WHEREAS, the independent National Academy of Sciences has studied the CAFE program and concluded that it is flawed and should be substantially overhauled: and

WHEREAS, despite compelling evidence of the program’s harmful effects, some powerful special interest groups press for even higher CAFE standards; and

WHEREAS, the US. Department of Transportation has indicated that it is considering drastic increases in CAFE standards for light trucks over the next decade, which would dramatically restrict the types of pickups, mini-vans, vans and sport-utility vehicles available to motorists for business and personal use; and

WHEREAS, hundreds of light truck users wrote to DOT to protest those plans; and

WHEREAS, Congress is considering legislation that would freeze CAFE standards at the current 27.5 miles-per gallon for passenger cars and 20.7 miles-per-gallon for light trucks; and

WHEREAS, current CAFE standards have resulted in lighter-weight vehicles that have been implicated in increased highway fatalities, now

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the legislature of the state of repealed or at least frozen at current levels and fuel efficiency f Insert State] that CAFE standards should be including technological change, and should be encouraged through market incentives,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, the Speaker of the House, The President Pro Tempore of the Senate and to every member of this state’s Congressional Delegation.