"...Of course our kids' health and safety should be the standard. We should demand cleaner running cars that protect our children from the life-shortening effects of air pollution, the severe climate disruptions brought on by global warming, and the economic vulnerability that comes from America's dependence on oil. And we should demand well designed cars that protect children from harm on the highway. Right now, we have the technical ingenuity to do both, if government and industry work together to make it a priority. Let's not sacrifice our children's and the planet's future for short-term gain..."

"...We have the technical ingenuity, right now, to build cleaner cars and still make sure that consumers have choice, performance, and safety. We can put better engines in today's safety-conscious cars, cut the carbon dioxide emissions that contribute to global warming, and save money in the long run. In Europe, where governments are serious about addressing global warming, U.S. car companies are moving quickly to meet higher fuel efficiency standards without sacrificing safety. What are we waiting for in the U.S.?"

"...History teaches us that big companies often use these kinds of arguments to block important health and safety regulations -- and that their arguments are usually wrong. Remember how Detroit resisted when the government wanted to put seat belts in every car? Implementing new fuel-efficient technologies will make our transportation sector more competitive globally, create new jobs here at home, and contribute to a healthier environment. There's no reason to delay putting cleaner engines in our safety conscious cars and trucks, and every reason to get going..."

"...It makes sense to start America's move toward a smart energy future in the transportation sector, because we get so much bang for our buck there. Cars and trucks use two-thirds of our oil and account for one-third of our contribution to the blanket of carbon dioxide over the earth that causes global warming. Lifting our average fuel efficiency to 40 miles per gallon by 2012 would save almost as much oil every day as we imported from Saudi Arabia in all of 2001. The hybrid cars and SUVs now being sold already achieve that level of fuel efficiency, without sacrificing safety. And someone who buys one of these cars will save thousands of dollars on gas over the life of the car. It's a win-win situation..."