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The Bush gang's fuel-cell con game

February 8, 2002 | Page 2

THE BUSH administration said in January that it was committing itself to a campaign to promote pollution-free cars that run on hydrogen-powered fuel cells. But the seemingly environment-friendly proposal was a cover--for abandoning a program to require fuel-efficient gas-powered cars in the here and now.

Under the fuel-cell idea, cars would run on electricity created from hydrogen and oxygen supplies--producing no emission other than water vapor. But the technology is at least a decade away from being practical.

At the same time, the Bush gang officially abandoned a multibillion-dollar program to require the Big Three automakers to produce more fuel-efficient cars.

But that's no surprise if you take a look at Bush's energy secretary: Spencer Abraham, a former senator from the state of General Motors, otherwise known as Michigan. Abraham's main accomplishment in Congress was to block a proposal to require higher fuel-efficiency standards for SUVs and light trucks.

But then again, an administration packed with Texas oil and gas boys doesn't need a lackey for the Big Three telling it to kill tighter standards on fuel efficiency.

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