US: Bipartisan effort enables historic energy act

摘要

EFFORTS to address the problems of energy security, rising gasoline prices and global warming dominate the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, which was signed into law in mid-December. The 822-page document, considered the most ambitious energy bill since the 1970s, received significant bipartisan support in both the US Senate and House of Representatives. The act strengthens corporate average fuel economy (Cafe) standards for cars and light trucks for the first time since 1975, requiring vehicles sold in the US to meet a fleet-wide average of 35 miles a gallon (USG) by 2020. At present, Cafe standards set a miles/USG minimum of 27.5 for cars and 22.2 for light trucks, sports utility vehicles and minivans.