Build more fuel-efficient cars here

By Pam Mackey-Taylor

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With Independence Day sentiments still echoing in our minds, high summer gas prices continue to put Iowans at the mercy of Big Oil and volatile oil-producing countries in the Middle East.

The heavy tolls these industries are taking on our community each day are making it clear that we need to get serious about cutting our oil addiction by building more fuel-efficient cars here in America. I love celebrating our country's freedom, but it's hard to feel free when oil continues to consume our wallets and pollute our environment.

We need to start by investing in smart technology that's made here in America. The technology already exists to more than double the fuel efficiency of our cars and make us less dependent on foreign nations for oil.

Just take a look at the technology already in dealerships. Hybrids such as the Toyota Prius and electric cars such as the Chevy Volt and Nissan Leaf already are saving American families real money at the pump. The problem is, two of those cars are made by foreign companies and the Volt is only just beginning to ramp up production.

We desperately need many more fuel-efficient vehicle choices made in America. I bought my hybrid Honda Civic and it already has saved my family hundreds of dollars at the gas pump. It's safe, fun to drive and allows me to spend more of my money here in Marion and Cedar Rapids, rather than fattening the pockets of oil CEOs and enriching foreign nations.

I would have rather bought a hybrid or electric car that was made in America, but our car companies have yet to catch up.

The greatest resource we have in this country is American ingenuity - but we need to use it. Smart investments in American innovation got us to the moon, so why is it that we're still building gas guzzlers that get the same gas mileage as cars made 30 years ago? We know we can do better, and we must.

Making better, more fuel-efficient cars and trucks in America will help return the U.S. auto industry to a position of leadership in the world. Foreign car companies already are developing new technologies for the next generation of cars and trucks. If we do not start making more efficient and technologically advanced cars in the United States, our car companies will continue to lag behind Asian automakers, and we will continue to lose jobs.

Fortunately, President Obama has a historic opportunity to help reduce oil consumption and save families money on gas by setting strong new fuel efficiency standards. In September, his administration is proposing new standards and is considering making them as high as 62 miles per gallon by 2025. That would cut the number of trips to the gas station in half for the average Iowa family, which means more savings and more energy independence.

Mr. President, it's time to let American engineers do what they do best - innovate and get the job done. In the spirit of our Independence Day, I urge you to help drive us toward energy independence and save Americans money getting us cars that average at least 60 mpg by 2025. Our economy, our environment and our national security depend on it.

Pam Mackey-Taylor of Marion is the transportation chair and the energy chair for the Iowa Chapter of the Sierra Club, for which she has been working on transportation and energy issues for the past 10 years. Comments: pam

mackeytaylor@aol.com