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‘Drive for America’ Campaign Calls on Big Three Automakers To Increase Fuel Economy as Matter of National Security

‘Drive for America’ Campaign Calls on Big Three Automakers To Increase Fuel Economy as Matter of National Security

Published 03-28-03

Submitted by Alliance to Save Energy

WASHINGTON, DC, —With world oil markets increasingly in turmoil, U.S. oil imports steadily increasing, and oil and gas prices on the rise, the Alliance to Save Energy has launched the Drive for America campaign demanding that the Big Three automakers increase fuel economy as a matter of national security. In the web campaign’s first 24 hours, more than 5,000 Americans on the home front signed on to the campaign as a way of making their own contribution to national security and sending a message to U.S. automakers.

“With cars and light trucks accounting for more than 40 percent of U.S. oil consumption, the Big Three automakers are uniquely positioned to help break our nation’s deadly oil dependence,” said Alliance President David M. Nemtzow. “For too long, our nation has been dangerously dependent on foreign oil, leaving our economy and our national security hostage to the whims of other, often hostile, nations. The Drive for America campaign allows us to declare that we will no longer tolerate being a nation of oil junkies.”

According to the campaign, the battle against energy dependence has become more than just an environmental or economic one – it has become a critical battle for national security. As evidence, the campaign website ( Drive for America ) reminds Americans of these alarming statistics:

• U.S. dependence on oil imports is currently the highest in our history – accounting for well over half of the oil we consume. Without efforts to reverse this trend, imports will reach two-thirds of U.S. oil consumption by 2025.

• More than two-thirds of the world’s oil reserves are concentrated in the explosive Middle East.

• Saudi Arabia holds one-fourth of the world’s proven oil reserves – the largest share – followed by Iraq, at 11 percent.

• Current fuel economy standards save about 2.8 million barrels of oil a day, according to the National Academy of Sciences.

“America can significantly increase the gas mileage of its cars, trucks, and SUVs by employing current and emerging automotive technologies such as hybrid electric vehicles,” said Alliance Director of Policy Kara Saul Rinaldi. “This campaign tells America’s automakers that Americans want more efficient vehicles and demand a change in our gluttonous oil consumption.”

The Drive for America campaign also urged Americans to take the Patriot’s Energy Pledge ( Save a Barrel ) to reduce their personal use of oil in various ways, such as by keeping their cars tuned, buying fuel efficient vehicles, and walking or taking public transit to work.

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The Alliance to Save Energy is a coalition of prominent business, government, environmental, and consumer leaders who promote the efficient use of energy worldwide to benefit consumers, the environment, economy, and national security.

The Patriot’s Energy Pledge is a civic campaign to help Americans reduce dependence on oil by taking personal steps to meet our transportation needs in more fuel-efficient ways. By taking the pledge, you will save at the pump, help the environment, and make our nation more secure.

Alliance to Save Energy

Alliance to Save Energy

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