November 26, 1974
Page 37497
AUTOMOBILE FUEL ECONOMY AN POLLUTION STANDARDS
Mr. MUSKIE. Mr. President, the Members of Congress and the members of the Senate Public Works Committee have become increasingly interested in the prospects of attaining rapid and substantial increases in automobile fuel economy. The members of that committee are deeply interested in achieving fuel economy increases without any relaxation of pollution control standards.
The Senate Public Works Committee has received information from inventors, pollution control equipment manufacturers, the National Academy of Sciences, and others who are involved in developing and evaluating automobile engine technology. As a continuation of our interest in this subject, the Senate Public Works Committee announced yesterday a staff investigation of recent developments that have occurred in the work done by the LaForce brothers in Vermont. This development has received substantial attention in the last few days and may hold the potential for substantial increases in fuel economy and reductions in pollution emissions.
It is apparent that much more needs to be known in order to evaluate this and other systems. The Public Works Committee has previously examined information submitted regarding many other systems, and will continue to seek documentation of progress in auto engine design.
As a result of our interest in this subject, we will assign staff to conduct an investigation of the LaForce project, and are requesting that Russell Train, Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, examine this development and provide us with an analysis of its potential. I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the RECORD the letter Senators RANDOLPH, BAKER, BUCKLEY, and I have sent to Russell Train, along with the press release announcing this effort and discussing the possibility of future inquiries or hearings on the part of the committee.
There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in the RECORD, as follows:
U.S. SENATE.
Washington, D.C., November 25, 1974.
Hon. RUSSELL E. TRAIN,
Administrator,
Environmental Protection Agency,
Washington, D.C.
DEAR Mr. ADMINISTRATOR: The Senate Public Works Committee has noted with interest recent newspaper accounts of improved fuel economy and reduced emissions achieved by the work of Edward and Robert LaForce. In view of the increased emphasis on fuel economy brought about by the Nation's energy shortages, such developments must be examined carefully.
We would appreciate a full analysis of the status of the LaForce project. We would encourage courage you to seek a full examination and test of the demonstration vehicle they have produced in accordance with Section 208 (a) (2). We are particularly interested in an examination of published claims regarding substantial reduction in pollutants emitted and the ability to reach such low emission levels while attaining improved fuel economy. It would be helpful to receive your analysis as soon as possible.
In addition, the Subcommittee is sending two investigators to meet with the inventors this week. The purpose of the investigation will be to determine the potential of their invention and to encourage cooperation with EPA to insure a full and complete test of the vehicle in question. We would hope a member of your staff would accompany our staff.
Sincerely,
JENNINGS RANDOLPH,
EDMUND S. MUSKIE,
HOWARD H. BAKER, Jr.,
JAMES L. BUCKLEY.
U.S. Senators.
SENATE COMMITTEE TO EXAMINE CAR ENGINE DEVELOPMENT
WASHINGTON.– The Senate Committee on Public Works has directed its staff to examine the claim of two Vermont brothers that they have developed a technology to reduce greatly the gasoline consumption of automobile engines while meeting Federal auto pollution requirements.
The Committee also is asking the Environmental Protection Agency for a technical evaluation of the engine demonstrated in the Washington area and in Delaware last week by the brothers, Edward and Robert LaForce. The Committee was informed late today by EPA that it will test the LaForce car at its Ann Arbor, Michigan facility.
The action was announced in a statement by Senator Jennings Randolph, Committee Chairman, Senator Edmund S, Muskie, Chairman of its Subcommittee on Environmental Pollution, and Senator Howard H. Baker, Jr. and Senator James L. Buckley, Ranking Republican Members of the Committee and Subcommittee respectively.
"We have read news reports of the demonstrations by the LaForce brothers," the Senators said. "Any system with the potential to reduce automobile emissions while cutting fuel usage needs to be seriously and thoroughly considered."
Members of the Committee Staff will meet with the LaForce brothers, who say they have spent 28 years working on developments which increase engine efficiency by two-thirds and meet Federal emission standards.
The Senators said the Committee will use the staff investigation and Environmental Protection Agency evaluation of technical data as a basis for possible hearings on scientific developments in emission controls and engine efficiency. The Clean Air Act of 1970 requires continued reduction in automobile pollution, with ultimate reductions to be achieved in 1978.
"We have received considerable information on research which is being carried out to meet emissions standards and improve fuel economy," the Senators said. "Protection of public health requires development of a clean car. Our national welfare demands reduced energy consumption. The information which is obtained in the investigation and from other sources will provide a basis for future legislative hearings."
Mr. MUSKIE. Mr. President, it has been the approach of Congress to establish the standards we believe are legitimate for the protection of public health, and then call upon the technological capability of the automobile industry, researchers and independent inventors to meet the challenges set down by these standards.
In other words, we have hoped that "a technological horse race" would develop. While we have not been totally satisfied with the pace and commitment of some of the larger automobile manufacturers, we have made progress.
All of the major automobile manufacturers have claimed that the fuel economy targets discussed by President Ford and by Members of Congress would be unattainable without relaxation of the auto emission standards established in the Clean Air Act. Since this has been the common line established by the automobile manufacturers ever since Congress began Federal efforts to clean up the air, such statements are not surprising.
Independent analysis is necessary to establish the possibilities that exist with various inventions and technologies.
A study was recently conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Transportation as a result of a requirement in the Energy Supply and Environmental Coordination Act in June of 1974. That report was released in October, and until last minute editing under White House pressure, the report concluded that the President's goal of a 40 percent fuel economy increase in 4 years could be met without any relaxation or delay in statutory auto emission standards.
Any question on emission controls – including the relationship of such controls to fuel economy – are completely within the jurisdiction of the Senate Public Works Committee. And we should be clear that fuel economy will be discussed by the auto companies in terms of delaying pollution standards.
So the issue must be resolved by the Senate Public Works Committee. Other committees may hold hearings on fuel economy, but any legislation which includes reference, direct or indirect, to the regulation of emissions must be resolved by this committee.