Seen on the AP wire:
An agreement among congressional Democrats — including those from auto industry states — to support a 40 percent increase in vehicle fuel efficiency is likely to be the tonic needed to push energy legislation through Congress before Christmas.[...]
Automakers would be required to meet an industrywide average of 35 miles per gallon for cars and light trucks, including SUVs, by 2020, the first increase by Congress in car fuel efficiency in 32 years.[...]
Dingell said the tougher standards are “both aggressive and attainable” and include provisions that give manufacturers the needed flexibility to bring SUVs and small trucks under compliance and to avoid job losses.
I’m kind of curious and skeptical about singling out SUVs and small trucks for special treatment, but I suppose that at this point, any progress on the matter is good progress.
The wire story mentions that the bill includes a significant mandate to use ethanol, suggesting that some farm belt politicians are doing a very good job of playing the “see/hear/speak no evil” routine when it comes to concerns raised about the sustainability of ethanol production.
And, there’s naturally some partisan squabbling to be expected in the Senate.
But, at least it’s some progress.