Reid Promises Fast Change to Fuel Economy Rules

The Detroit News reports on Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s press conference today on raising corporate average fuel economy regulations, or CAFE:

“For the first time in 30 years, it raises CAFE standards for new cars and trucks — to 35 miles per gallon by 2020, with another 4 percent improvement every year thereafter,” Reid told the Center for American Progress in Washington. “I know that the auto industry is still wavering on this issue. I met with the CEOs of the big three automakers last week, and here is what I told them: the debate on raising CAFE standards is over. It will happen.”

Reid had more strong words for automakers:

Reid then echoed what many of his colleagues have argued: Detroit’s successful efforts to block fuel economy increases had actually harmed automakers.

“Perhaps if they had joined us instead of fighting us these last 20 years, they might not be in the financial mess they’re in today,” Reid said. “But now is their chance to do the right thing — both for their bottom line and for the American people.

Kudos to Reid for pushing a strong bill. Other details of the Democrats’ Energy bill include:

Require the federal government to increase its purchases of renewable electricity to 10 percent of total supply by 2010 and 15 percent by 2015;

Reduce energy consumption in existing federal buildings by 30 percent by 2015;

Create appliance energy efficiency standards for dishwashers, clothes washers, refrigerators and dehumidifiers, saving consumers $12 billion annually in energy costs;

Provide more government money to help weatherize low-income family homes with insulation and storm windows.