Bush wants to raise fuel standards for cars
Increases were announced earlier for trucks and SUVs. Currently, the President cannot raise car standards.
BILOXI, Mississippi (Reuters) - President George W. Bush called for legislation on Thursday to allow the administration to raise fuel-economy standards on all cars.
"I encourage (Congress) to give me that authority," Bush said while visiting a gasoline station in Mississippi.
In March, the Bush administration announced it would raise fuel economy standards by 1.9 miles per gallon for sport utility vehicles, pickups and vans -- the biggest gas guzzlers -- between 2008 and 2011.
Passenger cars were not included in the initiative. Those must get 27.5 miles per gallon. A White House official said that Bush only has the authority to raise the standards on light trucks.
White House spokesman Scott McClellan said U.S. Transporation Secretary Norman Mineta would be sending a letter to Congress to formalize the request, adding that the administration believes a rise in the standards would "save jobs, save lives and save fuel."
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