NHTSA asks for more power to change fuel economy standards

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration attempted again last week to get more power from Congress to raise fuel economy standards for cars and trucks. The NHTSA has been studying ways to reduce energy consumption by the 2014 model year. The NHTSA turned in a somewhat vague report to Congress last week (no specific targets were set) asking for the power to change car fuel standards. The Administration changed standards for SUVs and pickups earlier this year and told Congress that doing the same for cars and trucks would reduce U.S. energy consumption. President Bush supports giving NHTSA the power to change the standards, but some environmental groups oppose the changes because, they say, the old method forced automakers to more fuel-efficient vehicles.

Related:

• Political battles over passenger CAFE standards heating up
• Senator, challenger give views on fuel economy standards

[Source: Detroit Free Press]