Opinion
 

Staff Editorial

Matthew Dulin         Geronimo Rodriguez 
Shaun Salnave          Cara Sarelli          Lisa Street

Breathe a little easier

Good news about the environment, everyone: The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration adopted new regulations for sports utility vehicles on Tuesday. The higher fuel economy rules will increase the miles per gallon for light trucks by 1.5 miles between model years 2005 and 2007.

According to the NHTSA, the new federal Corporate Average Fuel Economy standard will extend the current standard of 20.7 mpg to 21 mpg in 2005 models, 21.6 mpg in 2006 models and 22.2 mpg in 2007 models. The CAFE standards for all other passenger vehicles have remained steady at 27.5 since 1990.

But many environmentalist groups think the changes are not enough, and that the environmental harm caused by the smog-forming emissions of early-model SUVs has yet to be remedied. The Sierra Club says the proposed CAFE standards for light trucks are "weak" and will do "virtually nothing to improve the fuel economy."

Even though these new alterations may not cause drastic results immediately or save us all from global warming, this new policy is one small step toward healthier breathing and living. Thanks are due to President Bush for lifting Congressi freeze on the NHTSAis rule-making ability in 2001; itis to be hoped we can all look forward to greater environmentally friendly changes in automotive standards.

These new standards will not come cheap for manufacturers. General Motors Corp. opposes the higher fuel economy standard, saying it could cost the company $1 billion. And according to the NHTSA, the new increase will also cost consumers $14 more per vehicle for 2005 models, $28 more for 2006 models and $47 more for 2007 models, which are mere fees considering consumer savings on fuel costs.

Yet the dangers of early-model SUVs still remain. Itis to be hoped that in the near future the NHTSA will find a way to decrease current modelsi production of excess carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide, which contribute to climate change and ultimately to global warming.

Many are looking forward to the fruits of President Bushis promise in his State of the Union Address in January to research the use of hydrogen-powered cars in an effort to preserve the environment by eliminating pollution and greenhouse gases and reducing U.S. dependency on foreign oil.

All Americans should rejoice in the new fuel economy standards -- the largest increase in two decades -- and be confident in the NHTSAis restored ability to make rules that promote advances in automotive technologies. Maybe, just maybe, they will define a better solution for preventing environmental degeneration from pollutants caused by gas-guzzling motor vehicles.

 Send comments to dccampus@mail.uh.edu