FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Thursday, July 30, 2009 |
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Senators Feinstein and Collins: Any Extension of the ‘Cash for Clunkers’ Program Must Adhere to Higher Fuel Efficiency, Greater Emissions Reductions
Washington, DC – On the heels of news that all of the $1billion in funding appropriated for the “Cash for Clunkers” or “CARS” program has been exhausted, Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) today stated that any extension of the program must adhere to higher fuel efficiency and greater emissions reductions.
Senators Feinstein and Collins, along with Senator Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) previously authored an alternative “Cash for Clunkers” proposal that would have achieved 32 to 38 percent greater oil savings and emissions reductions than the enacted program.
Following is a joint statement from Senators Feinstein and Collins:
“The extraordinary reaction to the ‘Cash for Clunkers’ program demonstrates that consumers do want to purchase more fuel efficient, less polluting vehicles.
We believe that any extension of the ‘Cash for Clunkers’ program must go further in advancing the goals of better fuel efficiency and greater emissions reductions. We will not support any bill that does not meet these goals.
We will insist that any extension of the program requires that the minimum fuel economy improvement for newly purchased vehicles be at least two miles per gallon higher than it is under the enacted Clunkers program. It is also important to include lower-income consumers who are disadvantaged under the current program. So, we would also include a voucher for the purchase of fuel efficient used vehicles.”
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