Energy: Ignoring the Obvious Fix

As Congress puts the final touches on a massive new energy bill, lawmakers are about to blow it. That’s because the bill, which they hope to pass by the end of July, almost certainly won’t include the one policy initiative that could seriously reduce American’s dependence on foreign oil: A government-mandated increase in the average fuel economy of new cars, SUVs, light trucks, and vans.

Opponents — mainly the domestic auto makers and the United Auto Workers — have successfully opposed a significant increase in mileage standards as government meddling that would anger consumers and cost jobs by further hobbling the companies that are already in financial trouble.
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