Friday, April 24, 1998
10:30 a.m. - noon, 2168 Rayburn House Office Building

You are invited to a briefing on how current and future regulation and changes in vehicle design might address the environmental impacts of sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and other light trucks.

Light trucks - SUVs, mini-vans and pick-ups - now account for nearly 50 percent of new car and light truck sales and are a major reason for record profits in the U.S. automobile industry. SUVs have had phenomenal market success and alone account for nearly 30 percent of new car and light truck sales. However, emissions standards for air pollutants and Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) requirements for light trucks and SUVs are less stringent than for other passenger vehicles, resulting in these vehicles having greater environmental impacts.

As a consequence, the adverse environmental effects of SUVs and light trucks have gained increased attention. According to a recent report by American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, 10 of the 12 most environmentally harmful light duty vehicles are SUVs and light trucks. Concerns about SUVs and light trucks include their impact upon air and water pollution, safety, climate change, and growing oil imports. In comparison to other passenger vehicles, SUVs emit higher levels of many pollutants such as carbon monoxide, particulate matter and nitrogen oxides that have harmful effects on human health and the environment. SUVs also pose increased safety risks to their occupants and occupants of other vehicles because of their design.

Currently, the transportation sector produces about one-third of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, mostly from cars and trucks. Imported oil now accounts for almost 50 percent of total US oil consumption and is projected to grow to 60 percent in the next decade. A disproportionate amount of greenhouse gas emissions and oil consumption are attributed to SUVs because their fuel economy is lower than most light duty vehicles and their market share is rapidly growing.

Tax Shift, a report being released this week by Northwest Environment Watch, describes how changing the tax laws can help reconcile economic and environmental goals in the Pacific Northwest states and British Columbia. The report proposes replacing many of the taxes currently burdening the region's economy with taxes designed to help control pollution, traffic congestion, sprawl and other environmental degradation.

The briefing will feature automotive and environmental experts including:

• Greg Dana, vice president and technical director, Association of International Automobile Manufacturers;

• Carl Nash, independent automobile consultant and former professional staff member, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; and

• Dan Becker, director, global warming and energy program, Sierra Club.

The briefing is free and open to the public with no reservations required. For more information, contact Michael Chelius at (202) 662-1885.