I just learned of a recent study showing that if President Clinton keeps his promise to raise auto fuel economy standards, he will cut global warming pollution and at the same time save families an average of $576 a year. The study demonstrates that by making cars go farther on a gallon of gasoline, we will use less, dramatically reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and will also save America's consumers $665 billion per year at the gas pump.
If the president raises fuel economy standards for cars from the current 27.5 miles per gallon to 45 miles per gallon over 10 years, the average household in Utah will save $461 every year in gasoline costs. In addition, it would help reduce the smog that ominously lingers over our valley during the winter months.Raising fuel economy will also slash our oil use by about 3 million barrels per day. That's more oil than we import from the entire Persian Gulf. Higher fuel economy for cars and light trucks not only makes environmental sense, it also makes economic sense.
President Clinton has promised the American people he will tackle global warming and raise fuel economy standards. So far, his administration has stalled. If the president fails to fulfill his 1992 campaign promises to raise fuel economy standards, he will be damaging Utah's environment while costing consumers money.
President Clinton was elected to change things in Washington. But it looks like he's going to go back on his campaign promise, which could help cure us of Salt Lake Valley's annual inversion.
Samantha Wechsler
Salt Lake City