Should we raise fuel-efficiency standards? Everyone's in favor of better mileage for cars. The issue is whether the government or the market should set the standards.

• Position: Debate

YES

America's family cars and trucks use a lot of oil--more than 8 million barrels every day. That makes us too dependent on suppliers in unstable, unfriendly parts of the world. Rising oil prices are also a drag on the economy, and a problem for families. What's more, the pollution from vehicles causes global warming and heath problems like asthma.

In the 1970s, oil shortages led to the first fuel-efficiency standards, which saved a lot of oil. At first, the standards made a difference, but then came SUVs, which use a lot more gas. SUVs were originally for farmers and other people at work, so they were classified as "light trucks" and allowed to have lower fuel efficiency. But now many families drive SUVs like cars, and our nation's overall fuel economy has gotten worse, not better.

Improving fuel efficiency performance to 40 miles per gallon--from today's 27.5 miles per gallon for cars and 21 miles per gallon for pickups and SUVs--would save 2 million barrels of oil each day. That's about the amount we now import from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. We can do it with technology already on the road today, like the gasoline-electric hybrids.

But it won't happen until the politicians in Washington and auto-industry leaders in Detroit decide to make it happen. We need to raise fuel-economy standards and give incentives for consumers and companies to adopt more efficient technology. This would save money, improve our national security by lessening our dependence on foreign oil, and lead to a safer, healthier environment.

--Daniet A. Lashoff Climate Center Science Director Natural Resources Defense Council

NO

The Unites States faces real energy challenges, including foreign-oil dependence and climate change. But raising fuel-efficiency standards won't solve our energy problems. It will only limit consumer choice and make driving less safe.

America now imports 10 million barrels per day of oil, half of what we use...