Former Commerce and Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta Announces Support for ''Technology Neutral'' Policies in Reaching Proposed CAFE Standards

Former Transportation and Commerce Secretary to Discuss Importance of Diverse Automotive Technologies Solutions to Boost Fuel Efficiency

WASHINGTON, Nov. 7, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Former Transportation and Commerce Secretary Norman Mineta is urging U.S. policymakers to employ technology neutral policies as they begin to implement new CAFE regulations announced by President Obama.   Secretary Mineta is advocating the use of a wide range of technologies and innovations in reducing fuel consumption to meet the Administration's 2025 miles per gallon requirements.

Secretary Mineta today unveiled a White Paper at the National Press Club detailing his support for technology neutral policies which do not favor one technology over another through consumer incentives, federal subsidies, testing standards or technology specific credits.   Recent policies have favored electric vehicles but have failed to help gain wide-spread acceptance from consumers or enhance the likelihood of significant growth of electrics in the United States.  

Secretary Mineta's plea to federal regulators and Congressional leaders is based on data suggesting significant technology advancements in conventional gasoline and diesel engines provide  the most economical and efficient path to achieve President Obama's recently announced CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) standards.

"There is a wide consensus that energy independence and greenhouse gas emissions are among the most critical issues facing our country," said Secretary Mineta, who served under former Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.  "The federal government should support a wide range of technologies that hold the most promising environmental and commercial opportunities for manufacturers to continue to meet marketplace demand and still reduce fuel costs and consumption by American drivers."

Instead of the trend toward policies that pre-determine winners and losers, Secretary Mineta encouraged federal and state policymakers to level the playing field among emerging technologies.

"Now that the government has set aggressive performance targets, it is critical that the Administration and regulators allow markets the freedom to innovate and choose the best technology to reach those targets.  In this era of severe budget restraints, lawmakers should address the inequities in consumer incentives by eliminating language that favors one technology over another," Secretary Mineta said.

The White Paper is published by the U.S. Coalition for Advanced Diesel Cars, a national coalition focused on promoting technology neutral policies and the energy efficiency and environmental benefits of advanced clean diesel technology.

"We are honored to partner with Secretary Mineta for this important event, and we agree with his approach to an energy policy aimed at reducing fuel consumption in America's cars and light trucks.  We believe that a technology-neutral approach is crucial to spurring and supporting innovations in automotive technology," said Jeff Breneman, executive director for the coalition.

For more information and to access the full text of the White Paper, click here.

SOURCE U.S. Coalition for Advanced Diesel Cars