Bryan pushing for SUV fuel efficiency study

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Friday, June 9, 2000 | 3:26 a.m.

Bryan, D-Nev., joined Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., and Slade Gorton, R-Wash., in urging the U.S. Transportation Department to research the benefits or raising fuel efficiency standards for the larger, four-wheel drive vehicles.

Congress in 1975 set the corporate average fuel economy, or CAFE, standard at 27.5 miles per gallon on new passenger cars and 20.7 mpg for light trucks.

Bryan said Republican leaders in the House are responsible for a current ban on government studies into whether fuel efficiency standards for cars and light trucks should be raised. An effort to lift the ban failed on a 55-40 vote last year.

"The real question is not whether Americans want and need larger, four-wheel driver vehicles, but whether these vehicles can be made more efficient," Bryan said.