¨ The Automobile Fuel Economy Act of 2001 (S.804), introduced by Senators Feinstein (D-CA) and Snowe (R-ME) bill to close the loophole that allows SUV’s and other light trucks to meet lower miles per gallon standards than cars. The bill would save consumers money, curb global warming pollution, and save oil. When Congress implemented miles per gallon standards in 1975, they led to a doubling in the fuel efficiency of passenger cars over a period of ten years. Since then, fuel economy has actually decreased because of increased sales of light trucks, which are allowed to meet a standard that is 25% lower than that for cars. By 2015, the daily savings from closing the light truck loophole would total more than twice the daily yield of oil from the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and consumers would save more than $7.4 billion annually at the gas pump.

¨ The Clean Power Act of 2001 (S. 556) introduced by Senators Jeffords(I-VT), Lieberman (D-CT) and Collins (R-ME) to dramatically reduce power plant air pollution. Power plants are the largest industrial source of air pollution, contributing two-thirds of all soot-forming sulfur dioxide emissions, more than a quarter of ozone/smog forming nitrogen oxide emissions, forty percent of the U.S.’s carbon dioxide emissions, and thirty-four percent of mercury emissions. A recent study estimated that 30,000 Americans die prematurely each year due to power plant soot emissions. The Clean Power Act would reduce emissions of four key pollutants that cause smog, soot, mercury poisoning and global warming.

¨ The Renewable Energy Act of 2001 (S. 1333), by Senators Jeffords (I-VT), Kerry (D-MA), Lieberman (D-CT), Snowe (R-ME) and Schumer (D-NY) to increase the generation of clean renewable energy and fund energy efficiency programs. Clean, renewable energy such as wind, geothermal and solar energy is becoming increasingly cost-competitive, and can help protect consumers against fluctuating fossil fuel prices. S. 1333 would require increasing power generation from clean renewable sources to reach 20% of power generation by 2020. This bill would also generate $6 billion annually from a public benefits trust fund. This fund would provide matching funds to states for energy efficiency programs, renewable energy technologies, and low-income assistance programs. A recent Union of Concerned Scientists report found that a national renewable standard increasing to 20% of power generation in 2020, combined with energy efficiency policies, could save consumers over $150 billion by 2020, as well as reduce global warming emissions by 40 percent, and smog and soot-forming pollution by more than 25 percent compared to business as usual. Americans deserve a smarter, cleaner energy future. These three bills, and other incentives to increase energy efficiency and renewable energy, will save consumers money, reduce demand for foreign oil and protect our public health and environment. Please support these bills and oppose any energy legislation that opens the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and other pristine public lands to oil and gas drilling and increases taxpayer subsidies to polluters.