CAFE Standards - Sample Letters to Editor

Dear Editor-

There are many people who remember that in the mid-70’s Congress enacted fuel economy standards that doubled the gas mileage for new vehicles over ten years.  As a result, the United States saves 3 million barrels of oil per day, making it the most successful energy-saving measure ever adopted.  This all happened before I was born.  Within my lifetime gas mileage has actually stagnated and fallen back to its lowest levels.

As a college student I’m concerned about my future and the country’s future.  There is a growing concern about global warming and our dangerous dependence on foreign oil.  The time has come for Congress to look forward again and support an increase in fuel efficiency of 35 mpg by 2020.  This important step will save our hard earned money at the pump and help improve our national security.  I ask that everyone urge Rep. Kanjorski to support a comprehensive energy bill that includes strong fuel economy standards for our cars and trucks.

Name
City

Daytime phone: xxx-xxxx (do not publish)

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Dear Editor-

The cost of oil is approaching $100 a barrel. The cost of gas is almost $3 a gallon.  This rollercoaster of energy costs is infuriating because there are solutions, but Congress continues to look the other way.

We need strong leadership from our Representatives to have America can take the single biggest step to reduce our dangerous dependence on oil by making our cars and trucks go further on a gallon of gas.  American car companies continue to fight fuel efficiency at the cost of American jobs and lost market share.  This is unusual and my guess is that there is some sort of gentleman’s agreement between the car companies and the oil companies to keep us paying more and getting less.

The time has come for Congress to look forward and pass a comprehensive energy bill that includes a 35 miles per gallon by 2020 fuel efficiency standard, the first major increase in fuel efficiency standards in 30 years.  I urge everyone to contact their Representatives to support working families and not the world’s richest corporations.

Name
City

Daytime phone: xxx-xxxx (do not publish) 

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Dear Editor-

While watching the Eagles game on Sunday I was surprised to see the Chevy commercials highlighting their “environmentally” friendly vehicles.  These ads are a far cry from the actions of General Motors/Chevy.  They are not gas friendly when it comes to fighting Congress on the single biggest step we can take to reduce our dependence on oil: making our cars and trucks go further on a gallon of gas.

The problem is that while American car companies continue to talk out both sides of their mouth they are laying off workers and losing market share because their lack of innovation. There have been no significant changes in our fuel economy since the mid-80’s. Its time for them to champion strong fuel efficiency standards and encourage Congress to raise the gas mileage to average 35 miles per gallon by the year 2020.  Instead of trying to deceive the American public with their commercials, why don’t they help us by supporting a simple solution to save us money at the pump.

If the car companies continue to get their way we’ll end up being the ones paying more.  So I encourage everyone to contact their congressmen or women and ask that they stand up to the car companies and raise our fuel economy standards today.

Name
City

Daytime phone: xxx-xxxx (do not print)

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Dear Editor-

Congress worked hard this summer to pass energy bills that will benefit consumers and working people instead of the world’s richest companies.  Between an increase in fuel economy from the Senate and the requirement for more renewable energy passed by the House, Congress has all the pieces ready to bring us a new clean energy future. The proposed increase in fuel economy passed by the Senate would be the first in more than thirty years.  In fact, the fleet of vehicles sold in 1981 got better gas mileage than the fleet sitting on the lot today.  By raising standards to 35 miles per gallon by 2020—an achievable compromise supported by everyone from Ted Kennedy to Trent Lott—it would save American families $25 billion at the pump.  Using less oil will also make America more energy independent.  And by requiring the ailing American auto industry to make the kind of efficient vehicles that its foreign competitors have used to cruise to record profits, the Union of Concerned Scientists estimates that 22,000 jobs in the auto industry—and more than 170,000 total—would be created.  Making our cars go further on a gallon of gas is a win for consumers, a win for the environment, and, ultimately, a win for the American auto industry.  Congress needs to flip the switch on a cleaner, brighter energy future by passing a final energy bill that includes higher fuel economy standards and requirements for more renewable energy.

Name
City

Daytime phone: xxx-xxxx (do not print)

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Dear Editor-

The bad news for American car companies continues. Last week Chrysler announced plans to lay off thousands of workers. To top it off this happen days after the United Auto Workers (UAW) reached a contract agreement with the company.  We can expect to see more and more jobs lost if American car companies go on fighting against solutions to cut the cost of filling up your car or truck.

There has been talk about ethanol, hydrogen, and electric as ways to power our vehicles, but the single biggest step to cut our dependence on oil is to make our cars and trucks go further on a gallon of gas.  By increasing the fuel efficiency standard to 35 miles per gallon we can save billions at the pump and actually create jobs. The Union of Concerned Scientists estimates that 22,000 jobs in the auto industry—and more than 170,000 total—would be created because of this increase.

Now is the time for Rep. XX to support a comprehensive energy bill that includes these strong fuel economy standards.

Name
City

Daytime phone xxx-xxxx (do not publish)