GAO’s answer to Senator John Warner's letter asking about speed and energy efficiency confirms that slowing down saves energy and therefore reduces pollution and consumption of petroleum. Of particular interest is the following from pages 4-5:

“In general, over the last 2 decades, fuel economy gains resulting from advances in automotive technologies have largely been offset by increases in vehicle weight, performance, and accessory loads. Specifically, vehicles are heavier than in the past, because they are larger and include more technologies. For example, average vehicle weight has increased from 3,220 pounds in 1987 to 4,117 in 2008, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).”

“In addition, trends show that recent vehicles, on average, have bigger, more powerful engines that yield better performance—i.e., acceleration and greater speed—at the expense of fuel economy. For example, according to the same EPA report, average horsepower has increased from 118 to 222 over the same period. Further, increased accessory loads, such as air conditioning and electronics, have also reduced fuel economy. According to EPA, from 1987 through 2004, on a fleetwide basis, technology innovation was utilized exclusively to support market-driven attributes other than fuel economy, such as performance.”

It is also notable that GAO confirms savings of up to 630,000 barrels per day (3% of 21 million) are likely with just 50% compliance according to their research:

“In calculating these estimates, DOE assumed, among other things, a compliance rate of 50 percent and that the speed limit would affect 35 percent of on-road (highway) mileage, which means roughly a third of travel is on roads where a decrease in the speed limit would have an effect.  DOE’s estimates include savings from on-road heavy duty trucks”.

The GAO letter confirms these key facts.

1.    Economy drops off rapidly and exponentially for all vehicles at speeds above 35-45 MPH.
2.    Even at just 50% compliance with a national speed limit, on 35% of mileage, the nation will save up to 630,000 barrels per day, possibly much more.
3.    The corresponding reduction in pollution, congestion and traffic deaths remain to be quantified.
4.    Manufacturers have done nothing to improve economy for decades.

Governors Schwarzenegger and Ritter joined the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers in the official launch of EcoDrivingUSA™ on August 18, 2008. The governors were joined by the National Automobile Dealers Association and Environmental Defense Fund. In a video on the EcoDrivingUSA™ website Schwarzenegger say's "We hear a lot of ideas from politicians about lowering the gas prices and fighting global warming, whether it is biofuels, offshore drilling or nuclear power. But none of those will affect the gas prices right now, only you can do that." He closes the video with "We don't have to wait for the politicians to take action, each of us has the power to make a difference right now."

Today, Sen. John Warner (R-VA) introduced S. 3266, the “Immediate Steps to Conserve Gasoline Act.” This binding legislation calls on both the federal government and Congress to conserve gasoline by lowering their usage 3 percent for one year, and comes at a time when rising gas prices are affecting American families nationwide.

In addition to the mandatory reduction, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) will conduct a study to determine whether future reductions are technically feasible. The 3 percent reduction is the same amount by which federal agencies were required to reduce their energy usage in buildings and at facilities in the “Energy Independent and Security Act of 2007,” which was signed into law by President Bush on December 19, 2007.

The bill also asks the Energy Information Administration to study the effects of imposing a national speed limit of 60 miles per hour. This request comes several weeks after Sen. Warner asked the GAO to study the amount of gas that would be saved by mandating a speed limit.

“All across America, people are making daily sacrifices in order to stretch a tank of gas and to supplement their gasoline budgets,” said Warner. “The least the U.S. Congress can do is look for alternatives to provide immediate relief at the gas pump and on the wallet.”

Following is the text of HR 6458 as introduced July 10, 2008 by Rep. Jackie Speiers.

Speier:  Save Gas, Save Money, Slow Down

July 10, 2008     

Washington DC – Congresswoman Jackie Speier (San Francisco/San Mateo) today introduced her first bill, The Gasoline Savings and Speed Limit Reduction Act , which sets a national speed limit at 60 mph in urban areas.  The limit would increase to 65 on less-populated stretches of highway.

“Americans need relief from the rising cost of gasoline now,” Rep. Speier said.  “There is no need to wait for OPEC or the oil companies to help us out.  Every driver can affect change simply by easing up on their right foot.”

She cites figures from the Environmental Protection Agency’s website, www.fueleconomy.gov , that say gas mileage decreases rapidly after 60 mph.  “If you drive a Ford Taurus or Toyota Camry, which averages 25 miles per gallon on the highway, the difference between driving 60 mph and 70 mph results in a yearly savings of over $250.  For pickup truck drivers, that increases to $470 and if you own a full-size SUV like a Toyota Landcruiser, we’re talking about a savings in excess of $750.”  These figures are based on national averages of 12,000 total miles per year, of which 45% are highway miles.

The EPA’s numbers show that fuel consumption rises dramatically at speeds faster than sixty miles per hour.  The website claims:  “While each vehicle reaches its optimal fuel economy at a different speed, gas mileage usually decreases rapidly at speeds over 60 mph.  You can assume that each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional 30 cents per gallon for gas.”

An April 2008 article in the San Francisco Chronicle cited Patricia Monahan of the Union of Concerned Scientists:  “For every mile per hour over 60 mph, she said, fuel economy drops by an average of around 1 percent.”

The measure has already received backing from groups as diverse as The Union of Concerned Scientists and The American Trucking Associations.  Former Kansas Governor Bill Graves, President of the trucking group, said “The American Trucking Associations commend Congresswoman Speier for her initiative and leadership in introducing the Gasoline Savings and Speed Limit Reduction Act of 2008 .  Lowering speeds of all vehicles on our highways will improve safety, conserve fuel and reduce emissions of pollutants and carbon dioxide.”  National environmental, safety and consumers groups have expressed interest and are currently reviewing the legislation.