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Front Page Talking Points

FOR THE WEEK OF MAY 14, 2007

Tougher vehicle mileage rules gain new life

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1.gifInvite students to find a recent article about global warming, the auto industry or Congress and discuss whether it affects them now or in the future.

2.gifVehicle fuel efficiency articles can appear in various sections of the paper, like other news involving politics, business, science and consumer products. Challenge students to think like an editor and tell where they would put reports about a Senate vote on the new bill -- and why.

3.gifAsk drivers or future drivers in the class what background information journalists should present, or what questions they should address, when covering news about vehicle mileage rules and how they affect the environment.

Because of concern about global warming and American reliance on increasingly costly oil imports, Congress is taking a fresh look at requiring auto makers to boost fuel economy. For the first time in 16 years, federal lawmakers are debating whether to force manufacturers to improve the average mileage-per-gallon performance of new vehicles.

A Senate committee voted unanimously last week to raise the fuel efficiency standard for passenger vehicles by about 40 percent by 2020 -- the first such bill sent to the full Senate since 1991. This time the bill enjoys broader support as Congress tries to curb carbon dioxide, a global-warming gas produced when fossil fuels such as gasoline are burned.

The Senate bill would raise the fuel standard for passenger vehicles to 35 miles per gallon by 2020 from the current 25 mpg. The bill also mandates a 4-percent yearly increase in mileage for medium- and heavy-duty trucks.

Detroit's Big Three auto makers warn against further burdening them with costs by targeting their best-selling pickup trucks and SUVs at a time when they're struggling to survive.

Impact on drivers: Buyers would pay about $1,100 more for new cars, but would recover that amount within five years if gas prices are $2 a gallon and sooner if gas prices increase.

Backer says: "It's been 30 years since Congress really did anything effective for consumers at the pump. And the industry has refused to respond consistently, to its own great detriment."� -- Philip Clapp, president of the National Environmental Trust

Critic says: The idea is "like trying to combat obesity by forcing clothing manufacturers to manufacture only small sizes. It's doomed to failure." -- Bob Lutz, General Motors vice chairman

Front Page Talking Points is written by Felix Grabowski and Alan Stamm for NIEonline.com, Copyright 2024

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Common Core State Standard
SL.CCS.1/2/3/4 Grades 6-12: An essay of a current news event is provided for discussion to encourage participation, but also inspire the use of evidence to support logical claims using the main ideas of the article. Students must analyze background information provided about a current event within the news, draw out the main ideas and key details, and review different opinions on the issue. Then, students should present their own claims using facts and analysis for support.