President George W. Bush used his State of the Union address in January 2007 to outline new measures aimed at reducing American gasoline consumption and lessening reliance on imported oil. The centerpiece of the plan was a sharp expansion in alternative fuel use, particularly corn-based ethanol, to be achieved by 2017.
Critics argued the proposals were too cautious. Consumer advocates said ethanol supplies remain limited and that corn prices at decade highs made ambitious targets unrealistic. Several analysts called for Congress to mandate fuel economy of 40 miles per gallon within eight years as a more direct solution.
The plan did include the first revisions to federal fuel economy standards since the 1970s, requiring average annual efficiency gains of about four percent starting in 2010 for cars and 2012 for trucks. Detractors called even those increases a concession to Detroit's major automakers, who have historically resisted tighter Corporate Average Fuel Economy rules.
Industry representatives warned that stricter standards would benefit Japanese manufacturers, which have long produced smaller, more efficient vehicles. Analysts noted that raising fuel taxes, the most direct way to curb demand, remains politically toxic for any elected official seeking re-election.
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in January 2007, in its own words.