Frank Lautenberg: “Right now, people are at gas stations across America, filling up cars and trucks to get to work, take their kids to…”

“Right now, people are at gas stations across America, filling up cars and trucks to get to work, take their kids to school, and run their errands. In May of 2002, a gallon of gas cost $1.40. Today that same gallon of gas costs $3.22. In just 5 years, the price of gas has more than doubled. Gas isn't the only energy cost that has spiked in the last 5 years. In New Jersey, individuals, families, and businesses are paying 25 percent more for electricity than they were just 5 years ago. These high prices are hurting our families--families whose budgets are already stretched thin. We also know that our energy policies are hurting our environment. The emissions from our cars and trucks, electric utilities, and factories are causing global warming--a fact recently verified by a United Nations Panel on Climate Change. The energy bill before us marks the first serious attempt in years to address our energy crisis. First, it takes a measured but appropriate approach to improving CAFE standards governing the fuel efficiency of our cars and trucks. Right now, Japan leads the world in fuel efficiency. Many of their cars and trucks get more than 40 miles per gallon. The United States is far behind. Our passenger cars have been stuck at CAFE standards of 27.5 miles per gallon since 1990--and our light trucks get just 21.6 miles per gallon. We must do better, and with this bill, we will.”