Advertise Here

Deliver your message to thousands of readers every day.

Our readers are influential opinion makers - politicians, journalists and activists.

Our latest headlines

About Us

The California Progress Report is published by Frank D. Russo, a longtime observer of and participant in California politics.

About Frank Russo.
About California Progress Report.

Got a news tip? Want to write a guest column? Contact Frank here.

Books

Half a Dozen California Members of Congress Wavering on Historic Vote to Raise Fuel Economy Car Standards, Needed to Curb Global Warming

By Rosemary Shahan,
President
Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety

Will California lead the way to curbing global warming and making the US less dependent on foreign oil? Or will we be held hostage by the dinosaurs in Detroit and Big Oil and Coal? A historic showdown is imminent in Congress. The time to make your voice heard is NOW.

For the first time in a decade, the U.S. Senate has voted to improve motor vehicle fuel economy, saving consumers at the pump and also reducing harmful pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions. But the House is closely divided, with the auto, coal, and oil industries attempting to derail the momentum from the Senate victory. This is a critical moment for the environment, consumers, and the nation.

The burning question: Will enough lawmakers from California vote AYE for H.R. 1506, the Fuel Economy Reform Act of 2007, to offset the NO votes from members of states dominated by the auto, coal, and oil interests? H.R. 1506 will raise fuel economy 10 miles per gallon over the next 10 years, to 35 mpg, and 4% every year afterward. These gains in fuel economy are achievable and long overdue. Any added costs for the vehicles will be offset by savings at the pump. Oh, and did we mention that we also help save the planet?

While California has the most to gain from raising fuel economy standards, both in decreased pollution and in savings on fuel costs, some California lawmakers are wavering, thanks to a barrage of phone calls and faxes--not to mention campaign contributions--- from auto, coal, and oil interests. Those lawmakers are seriously out of step with public opinion. Yet another poll, recently conducted by the Public Policy Institute of California, shows overwhelming support among Californians for increasing fuel economy standards and addressing global warming. This should be a no-brainer, but some wavering lawmakers need to hear from more of us to realize they are going to be held accountable for this vote--by the public.

How can you make your voice heard at this critical time for California, our nation, and our planet?

Call wavering lawmakers and let them know you care about the planet. Urge them to vote for H.R. 1506 when Speaker Pelosi and the authors, Representatives Markey and Platts, bring the bill to the House floor.

Here's who to call TODAY:

U.S. Rep. Jim Costa (D-Fresno)
DC office: 202-225-3341
Fresno office: 559-495-1620

U.S. Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield)
DC office: 202-225-2915
Bakersfield office: 661-327-3611

U.S. Rep. Jane Harman (D-El Segundo, Wilmington)
DC office: 202-225-8220
El Segundo office: 310-643-3636

U.S. Rep. Joe Baca (D-San Bernardino)
DC office: 202-225-6161
San Bernardino office: 909-885-2222

U.S. Rep. Brian Bilbray (R-Solana Beach)
DC office: 202-225-0508
Solana Beach office: 858-350-1150

Mary Bono (R-Palm Springs)
DC office: 202-225-5330
Palm Springs office: 760-320-1076

Spread the word among your family and friends. The calls you make now will be among the most important you will ever make.

Thank you for speaking up, California!!

Rosemary Shahan, President of Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety, is a nationally renowned consumer advocate who has won many victories for car buyers. She is best known for initiating California’s landmark auto “lemon law” and fighting for the installation of air bags in all cars. She has repeatedly testified before Congress on auto safety issues. She has received many prestigious awards from consumer groups in recognition for her work and is widely quoted by national media as an expert on auto issues. Shahan serves on numerous progressive boards, including the Consumer Federation of California, Consumer Federation of America, and is also a member of the Board of Speak Out California, where this article first appeared.

Posted on July 31, 2007

Comments

Global Warming mostly is caused by consumers purchasing products manufacturered in other countries that don't have any climate standards. H.R. 1506 is the prefect example of sending US job to counties that are dirting our worlds air! This bill will eliminate the distinction from US domestic automobile from foreign cars. 35 MPG for cars and trucks is not the answer. Why not create manufactuerer job here that we can control? H.R. 1506 is a bad bill, it needs to be amended. Pat Caccamo

Posted by: Pat Caccamo at August 1, 2007 07:05 AM

I believe that the previous comment poster is a UAW representative. Unfortunately, some elements of the UAW have allied themselves too closely with the Detroit automaker executives who still have their heads stuck in the sand on what consumers want in terms of gas mileage performance.

If the so-called domestic automakers won't modernize on their own, then we need vital laws such as increasing CAFE (MPG) standards in order to remain competitive with the more forward-thinking Japanese automakers.

H.R. 1506 will not send domestic autoworker jobs overseas, because the law would apply to all cars sold in the United States--not just ones made in America.

For reducing our dependence on petroleum and addressing global warming, we need H.R. 1506.

Posted by: Dan at August 1, 2007 02:34 PM

Get Email Updates

Want the California Progress Report by email? Once a week, we'll send you the latest and greatest headlines.

Stat tracker