U.S. Senate raises mileage requirement for cars but leaves taxes on oil industry untouched

onJun 22, 2007 @ 10:05 PDT

By a vote of 65 to 27, the Senate passed broad legislation requiring the first major increase in fuel-mileage requirements for passenger cars in more than 20 years.

Environmental groups hailed the vote on higher mileage requirements as a long-sought victory that could eventually reduce U.S. gasoline consumption by more than 1 million gallons a day.

There was disappointment, however, that it calls for vast expansion of renewable fuels over the next decade, but provides little in tax breaks or other subsidies to promote those fuels.

The struggle provided a harbinger of potentially bigger obstacles when Democrats try to pass legislation this fall to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases tied to global warming. Moreover Democrats said they would have additional opportunities to push their agenda when the House takes up similar legislation, with the goal of passing it before the July 4 recess.

By Bill Miller

Analysis

Q&A: Amy Westervelt on the Corporate Poisoning of the Information Aquifer — and How to Undo the Harm

ByMatthew Green

onSep 21, 2026 @ 12:34 PDT

The acclaimed climate accountability journalist says bold steps are needed to reverse the insidious impact of decades of industry propaganda on the public square.

Series: Holding the Advertising and Public Relations Industry Accountable for Greenwash and Climate Misinformation

Series: Advertising & PR Industry

Suncor Helped Lead Climate Denial Group Spreading ‘Uncertainties’

ByGeoff Dembicki

onSep 21, 2026 @ 07:18 PDT

With a U.S. Supreme Court decision looming on whether the company can be held liable for climate deception, internal documents show a campaign to question science.