Democrats blow it on energy

Washington Times:

The Democrat-led Congress yesterday sent President Bush an expansive energy bill that mandates the first increase in fuel efficiency for cars in 32 years and calls for greater use of renewable energy sources.

Democrats in both chambers of Congress hailed the measure, designed to help curb the nation"s appetite for oil, as one of the most significant pieces of legislation passed in several years, and Mr. Bush is expected to sign the bill into law today.

The bill "represents a vital turning point for our nation and a historic accomplishment for this Congress," said House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer, Maryland Democrat.

The measure"s centerpiece — a 40 percent increase in the average fuel economy for cars, sport utility vehicles and light trucks to 35 miles per gallon by 2020 — received wide bipartisan support, clearing the Senate last week 86-8.

Democratic supporters say the increased fuel efficiency will save the average American family $700 to $1,000 annually in gas prices by reducing oil consumption by 1.1 million barrels per day in 2020, half the current amount imported from the Persian Gulf.

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They are dead wrong on saving money with this requirement. To meet the standard car makers will probably have to switch to hybrids which will cost far more than the gas savings. On top of that past history has shown that mileage increases have led to people driving more so that the same amount or more fuel is used. Those unable to afford the hybrids will be in smaller lighter less safe vehicles which will lead to greater injury in accidents. This whole conservation idea is misguided. We could produce all the oil we are currently buying from the Persian Gulf from local sources if the Democrats would get out of the way of drilling in Alaska and the off shore areas. The fact is that when it comes to the production of energy the Democrats are against it.