WASHINGTON — Congress by a wide margin approved the first increase in automobile fuel economy in 32 years Tuesday, and President Bush has indicated he will sign the new mandates.
The energy bill, boosting mileage by 40 percent to 35 miles per gallon, passed the House 314-100 and now goes to the White House, following the Senate’s approved last week.
In a dramatic shift to spur increased demand for nonfossil fuels, the bill also requires a sixfold increase in ethanol use to 36 billion gallons a year by 2022, a boon to farmers. And it requires new energy efficiency standards for an array of appliances, lighting and commercial and government buildings.
A Detroit automaker applauded Congress for the proposed new standards.
“We commend the Congress for passing an energy bill today and we fully support it being signed into law,? said Robert Nardelli, Chairman and CEO, Chrysler LLC.
?Chrysler is committed to meeting the fuel economy standards of the bill and doing our part to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and our country’s reliance on foreign oil. We continue to devote significant resources to develop quality, fuel efficient products that our customers expect. This year alone, we offer six vehicles that get 28 miles per gallon or better, and more are on the way.”
While some GOP lawmakers criticized the bill for failing to address the need for more domestic oil and natural gas production, 95 GOP lawmakers joined Democrats in support of the bill.
It increases energy efficiency “from light bulbs to light trucks,” said Rep. John Dingell (D., Mich.), a longtime protector of the auto industry who was key to a compromise on vehicle efficiency increases.
The Wall Street Journal contributed to this article.
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