Hagan Campaign: Dole's Continued Hypocrisy on Energy Issues Astonishing

July 23, 2008

GREENSBORO, N.C. – Following years of opposition to increasing the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards for vehicle manufacturers, Senator Elizabeth Dole recently touted a modest investment in fuel efficiency research, explaining in a press release that “to lower gas prices and achieve energy independence we need to invest in innovative technologies that enhance fuel efficiency.”

“Elizabeth Dole should practice what she preaches – if, by her own admission, lowering gas prices and achieving energy independence requires investments in innovative technologies, then she needs to explain why her public record is littered with votes against increasing fuel efficiency standards, votes against heavy investments in renewable and alternative fuels, and why, as Secretary of Transportation, she suggested eliminating fuel efficiency standards altogether,” said Hagan Communications Director Colleen Flanagan. “Elizabeth Dole isn’t exactly a credible source when it comes to what needs to be done short- or long-term to get a handle on gas prices for American consumers and invest in a sensible energy policy.”

According to Senator Dole’s press release, the proposal will provide $1 million “for the North Carolina Center for Automotive Research (NCCAR)…to equip the Chassis Dynamic Laboratory, a research facility that focuses on fuel efficiency and alternative energy systems.”

As far back as 1987, Elizabeth Dole has opposed increasing CAFE fuel standards. During her career as a U.S. senator, she opposed increasing them multiple times, and voted against measures to provide tax credits for those that purchase more fuel efficient hybrid vehicles.

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DOLE HAS BEEN A STRONG OPPONENT OF FUEL EFFICIENCY STANDARDS AND TAX INCENTIVES FOR BUYING FUEL EFFICIENT CARS

2007: Dole Voted Against Energy Bill That Increased Fuel Economy Standards. In 2007, Dole voted against an energy bill that overhauled national energy policies. The bill, among other things, increased CAFE standards to 35 mpg by 2020. [Vote 226, 6/21/07; Washington Post, 6/22/07]

Dole Blocked Measure Creating A Tax Credit For Hybrid Vehicles. In 2007, Dole voted against an amendment that would have created a $2,500 tax credit for the purchase of a plug-in hybrid vehicle. [Vote 223, 6/21/07]

2005: Dole Voted Against Boosting CAFE Standards. In 2005, Dole voted against mandating phased increases in CAFE standards. Passenger vehicles made before 2008 would have to average 25 mpg. The standard would gradually increase to 40 mpg by model year 2016. Non-passenger vehicles made before 2008 would have to average 17 mpg. By model year 2016, the standard would rise to an average of 27.5 mpg. [Vote 157, 6/23/05]

Dole Supported Weakening CAFE Standards. In 2005, Dole voted for an amendment that required the Transportation Secretary to consider several factors, including technological feasibility and economic practicability, when determining the CAFE standards. It directed the secretary to issue an environmental assessment of the effects of increased fuel efficiency standards on the environment and authorized $5 million annually from fiscal 2006 through 2010 for it. [Vote 156, 6/23/05]

2003: Dole Voted Against Increasing CAFE Standards To 40 MPG By 2014. In 2003, Dole voted against increasing CAFE standards to 40 mpg by 2014, nearly double the required mileage at the time. The amendment also would have ended the loophole that exempted SUV’s from CAFÉ standards. It would have required passenger vehicles made before 2006 to average 25 mpg; after that, the standard would have gradually increased to 40 mpg by 2014. Non-passenger vehicles made before 2006 would have had to average 17 mpg. By 2014, they would have had to average 27.5 mpg. According to LCV the change would have saved the country 3.1 billion barrels of oil a day. [Vote 309, 7/29/03; Washington Times, 7/30/03]

2003: Dole Voted Against Bill to Increase Sales of Hydrogen-Powered Vehicles, With Goal of 2.5 Million Sold Annually By 2020. In 2003, Dole against a bill that would have required the Department of Energy to establish targets and timelines to support the production of 100,000 hydrogen-powered vehicles by 2010 and 2.5 million vehicles annually by 2020. It also required the department to establish targets for the sale of hydrogen at fueling stations and require the Energy secretary to submit an annual progress report to Congress [Vote 212, 6/10/03]

1987: Dole Proposed Repealing CAFE Standards. In 1987, Dole proposed repealing the corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards established for automobiles because “the law places American automobile manufacturers at a competitive disadvantage.” Dole stated, “CAFE also encourages American automakers to ship American jobs overseas by transferring large car production outside the United States… In order to meet the CAFE standard, therefore, manufacturers are encouraged to send their large car production overseas to avoid bringing down the fuel economy average of the domestic fleet. CAFE thus poses a continuing threat to American workers.” [Business America, 11/17/87]

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