The Energy Independence Implications of the Auto Bailout Proposal (Part 1 of 2)
Channel: HouseResourceOrg
Date: 2011-04-12

The Energy Independence Implications of the Auto Bailout Proposal (Part 1 of 2) - Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming - 2007-09-20 - As Congress considers a multi-billion dollar program of loans to America's auto industry, many measures of success or failure exist for the industry and the government's attempts to help the automakers. Chief among those measures of success is how effectively America's auto industry, and the industry as a whole, is transformed to build cars for the future that reduce our dependence on oil. Will the auto industry meet the fuel economy rules passed by Congress and signed into law nearly a year ago, which could revitalize the industry? Should American taxpayers expect even higher fuel economy performance in return for their investment of additional billions in loans? Do the auto companies' plans impair their ability to meet the current fuel economy regime? A panel of auto industry and fuel economy experts will discuss these issues and other energy implications of the automotive industry loan program at a hearing tomorrow before Chairman Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming. Chairman Markey authored the House language that became the current fuel economy standards of at least 35 mile per gallon by 2020. Witnesses: Ms. Joan Claybrook, President, Public Citizen; Mr. Reuben Munger, Chairman and Co-founder, Bright Automotive; Dr. Peter Morici, Professor of International Business, Robert H. Smith School of Business, University of Maryland; Mr. Geoff Wardle, Director of Advanced Mobility Research, Art Center College of Design; Mr. Richard Curless, Chief Technical Officer, MAG Industrial Automation Systems.  Video provided by the U.S. House of Representatives.