WASHINGTON, April 24 (UPI) -- The U.S. Congress is under increasing pressure to require automakers to make cars more fuel efficient.
The Washington Post reported Tuesday that a coalition of lobbying groups plans to announce a nationwide campaign to push Congress to enact fuel economy legislation.
"The war in Iraq and high prices at the pump are increasingly sensitizing the American public, and we think this is the right time to do this," said Josh Reichert, director of Pew Charitable Trust's environment group. "There is a confluence of factors out there that make this the best opportunity that we've had in decades."
Lawmakers have been warning automakers that the legislation is coming.
U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Mich., told the Post that the time may be right for automakers in his Michigan district to compromise.
"We have to look at something different," he said. "Something is going to be done on fuel efficiency for vehicles -- that much I believe."
