FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 23, 2008
CONTACT: Josh Dorner, 202.675.2384
McCain Falls Short on Fuel Economy, Gas Prices
America Needs Obama's 50 MPG, $150 Billion Energy Plan
Washington, D.C.--The Sierra Club issued the following response to John McCain's speech on fuel economy and cars delivered today in Fresno, California.
Statement of Carl Pope, Sierra Club Executive Director
"Senator Obama has demonstrated the real leadership America needs to address both our energy and economic crises. He understands that the long-term solution to high gas prices is making our cars get better gas mileage. He pushed hard last year to raise fuel economy standards to 35 miles per gallon and wants to give the American auto industry the help it needs to hit 50 miles per gallon within two decades.
"By contrast, John McCain has a spotty record when it comes to fuel economy and seems more interested in offering up a $300 million gimick rather than exercising the kind of bold leadership America needs. He has repeatedly failed to embrace what America really needs -- a vehicle fleet that gets to 50 mpg on a predictable and agressive schedule, and then keeps on getting better. Instead of a $300 million giveaway, Barack Obama has proposed to do what is really needed. He has a plan that calls for a $150 billion investment in the technologies we need to fight global warming and end Big Oil’s chokehold on our economy once and for all. Senator Obama also wants to end taxpayer-funded giveaways to the oil industry, wants the industry to pay its fair share on its record profits, and will crack down on the Wall Street speculators gaming the system at the expense of hardworking Americans. Meanwhile, Senator McCain continues to oppose the key incentives for renewable energy and energy efficiency that we need to make the clean energy future a reality."
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