Air travel and rail transport were early examples of deregulation bringing huge benefits to consumers and industries. Yet automobility, air travel, and freight rail, are increasingly threatened with further regulation that will reduce their ability to transport goods and people. CEI opposes these attacks by arguing for greater freedom in mobility and opposing perverse transportation industry regulations.
Transportation Issue Areas
Featured Posts
Blog
Mandates before proven safety: How the Railway Safety Act ignores rail safety
The Washington Post’s recent piece on the Railway Safety Act underscores an essential point: safety legislation must be grounded in evidence, not fear or…
Blog
Pardon me boys, is this the Special Interest Express?
The Washington Post published a smart editorial on Monday on why the proposed Railway Safety Act is a bad idea. The legislation is…
News Release
White House wrong to push Railway Safety Act
The White House is reportedly urging lawmakers to include new restrictions on freight rail operations in upcoming infrastructure or transportation legislation. CEI policy experts…
Search Posts
Study
Airline Deregulation
If the government deregulates the grid and transitions toward a market solution, the benefits of flow deregulation will increase, and costs for air travelers will…
Op-Eds
Oil Addiction
When cocaine prices shot up last year, White House Drug Czar John Walters touted it as "the best evidence" that the War on…
Newsletter
Air Travel Taxes, Illegal Produce and Hybrid Subsidies
Global warming taxes on airline travel mean fewer visitors to Amsterdam’s airport. European Union inspectors force a produce seller in the UK to throw out…
Newsletter
Global Warming, Farm Protests and Homelessness
The Senate debates global warming legislation sponsored by Senators Joe Lieberman (I-CT) and John Warner (R-VA). The Argentinian government faces widespread protests from farmers. The…
Newsletter
Immigrant Intelligence, Hybrid Vehicles and the Cell Phone Pregnancy Scare
U.S. intelligence agencies seek help recruiting new immigrants as analysts and translators. Nissan to invest $115 million to mass produce batteries for electric and hybrid…
Op-Eds
European Railroads Not a Model for U.S. April 23
RAIL Solution’s David Foster (Letters, April 21) claims Europe’s transport system is increasingly “beyond petroleum” because Europe uses high gas taxes not only to discourage…
Op-Eds
Candidates Fail Energy Independence Test
All the presidential candidates say they’re for energy independence. So why didn’t they do something about it when they had the chance?…
Op-Eds
Romney Had a Hammer
Mitt Romney’s surprisingly decisive victory in Michigan kept him in the race for the Republican nomination, but he wasn’t the only one Tuesday night…
Op-Eds
The Conspiracy to Deny the Poor Mobility – and Opportunity
Mobility is prosperity—a fact that humans have recognized since the dawn of civilization, when population centers arose next to navigable waterways. Yet this simple…
Op-Eds
Grantor’s Tax Should Be Repealed, Too
Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine now wants to repeal the abusive-driver fees contained in Virginia’s 2007 transportation law, even though he signed that law and…
Op-Eds
Miles to Go: How many vehicles actually meet Speaker Pelosi’s 35-mpg fuel-economy standard?
Last Friday night, after months of wrangling, House Democratic leaders agreed to support legislation requiring the average car and light truck to achieve 35…
Op-Eds
Uncle Sam’s CAFE Panacea: Killing Drivers, Increasing Costs
With the Bush administration’s support, Congress is pushing to increase fuel economy standards for American autos. The measure is supposed to save energy…
Newsletter
CEI Daily Update
Issues in the News 1. BUSINESS The House of Representatives votes on a bill limiting access to home loans. CEI Expert…
Newsletter
CEI Daily Update
Issues in the News 1. ENVIRONMENT The Senate Environment & Public Works Committee holds a hearing on energy rationing legislation sponsored by Senators Lieberman…
Newsletter
CEI Daily Update
Issues in the News 1. INTERNATIONAL The Senate Foreign Relations Committee votes to approve the controversial United Nations-sponsored Law of the Sea Treaty…
Newsletter
CEI Daily Update
Issues in the News 1. TECHNOLOGY The U.S. Chamber of Commerce investigates the privacy concerns and commercial possibilities of radio frequency…
Newsletter
CEI Daily Update
Issues in the News 1. CONGRESS The Senate holds hearings on ratification of the controversial “Law of the Sea” treaty. …
Newsletter
CEI Daily Update
Issues in the News 1. AUTOMOBILITY Anti-car activist prepare to celebrate “World Car-Free Day.” CEI Expert Available…
News Release
Honk If You Support World ‘Car-Free Day’
Contact: Richard Morrison, 202-331-2273 Washington, D.C., September 20, 2007—Organizers of the Sept. 22 “World Car-Free Day” are having another go at their annual event…
News Release
Honk If You Support DC Car-Free Day
Newsletter
CEI Daily Update
Issues in the News 1. FINANCE The Washington, D.C. City Council votes on a measure that would limit fees on…
Newsletter
CEI Daily Update
Issues in the News 1. INTERNATIONAL Microsoft suffers a legal setback in Europe where it has been accused of anti-competitive practices.
Op-Eds
The Biofuel Fad
William Saletan argued in favor of biofuels on humanitarian and environmental grounds ["A Corny Cold War," Outlook, July 8]. He was wrong on both…
Op-Eds
Farmers are Shuckers, Too
It is not surprising that National Corn Growers Association President Ken McCauley uses the term “free market” pejoratively (“Reusable fuels: Good goal, good policy,”…
Op-Eds
The Road to Health Care Reform
When they buy automobile insurance, Americans enjoy a market that provides many choices, lots of competition, and, in most places, reasonable rates. Residents of…
News Release
Stringent Government Rules Can Turn Deadly
Study
The Flexibility Solution
Full Document Available in PDF America has not done enough to protect the networks of…
Study
First, Do No Harm to Motorists
Sam Kazman explores why Congress should focus its attention not on making C.A.F.E. standards more stringent, but on scrapping them and, at a minimum, avoid…
Newsletter
Cooler Heads Digest
1. The Week in Global Warming News 2. CEI's Insider Information 3. Issue of the Week4. Action Item5.
Newsletter
The Competitive Enterprise Institute Daily Update
Issues in the News 1. CONSUMER The Washington Post reports on CEI’s campaign to protest substandard appliances resulting from energy efficiency mandates. 2.
Newsletter
The Competitive Enterprise Institute Daily Update
Issues in the News 1. ENVIRONMENT The Washington Post celebrates the 100th anniversary of the birth of environmentalist icon…
Newsletter
The Competitive Enterprise Institute Daily Update
Issues in the News 1. CONSUMER CEI launches a campaign to protest substandard appliances resulting from energy efficiency…
News Release
President Bush Calls for Higher Fuel Economy Standards & Use of Alternative Fuels
Washington, DC, May 14, 2007—President Bush’s announcement today that his administration will push for higher fuel economy standards and increased use of alternative…
News Release
Senate to Mandate More Fuel Economy Regulations
The Senate Commerce Committee is expected to vote on a plan to increase fuel efficiency mandates today, despite the increased risk posed to motorists. …
Newsletter
The Competitive Enterprise Institute Daily Update
Issues in the News<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = “urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office” /> 1. SAFETY…
Newsletter
The Competitive Enterprise Institute Daily Update
<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = “urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office” /> Issues in the News 1. LEGAL…
Newsletter
The Competitive Enterprise Institute Daily Update
<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = “urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office” /> Issues in the News 1. ENERGY Consumers nationwide…
Newsletter
The Competitive Enterprise Institute Daily Update
Issues in the News 1. HEALTH First Lady Laura Bush delivers remarks in the White House Rose Garden for Malaria Awareness Day .
Newsletter
The Competitive Enterprise Institute Daily Update
Issues In the News: 1. REGULATING THE REGULATORSSupreme Court Tells EPA to Re-Consider its Decision Not to Regulate C02…
Newsletter
The Competitive Enterprise Institute Daily Update
Issues in the News 1. CONGRESS Senators express skepticism over a proposal to mandate a national ID…
Newsletter
The Competitive Enterprise Institute Daily Update
Issues in the News 1. CONGRESS Al Gore testifies on global warming before committees in both the House and Senate, describing…
Newsletter
The Competitive Enterprise Institute Daily Update
Issues in the News 1. CONGRESS Al Gore prepares for dual testimony appearances this week before the House…
News Release
House Hears Testimony on CAFE Rules
<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = “urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office” /> Contact: Richard Morrison, 202.331.2273 …
Newsletter
The Competitive Enterprise Institute Daily Update
Issues in the News 1. CONGRESS The House of Representatives hears testimony on fuel efficiency regulations for…
News Release
House Hears Testimony on CAFE Rules
Washington, D.C., March 13, 2007—Tomorrow members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee will hear testimony from auto company and union representatives on…
Newsletter
The Competitive Enterprise Institute Daily Update
Issues in the News 1. CONGRESS Lawmakers prepare to increase the federal fuel economy standards for new…
Newsletter
The Competitive Enterprise Institute Daily Update
Issues in the News 1. CONGRESS New Democratic congressmen warn Speaker Pelosi to stick to a politically moderate…
Study
A Free Market Agenda for the 110th Congress
Washington, D.C., January 10, 2007—Today the Competitive Enterprise Institute releases its policy recommendations for the new leadership on Capitol Hill: This Liberal Congress Went to…
Study
This Liberal Congress Went to Market: a Bipartisan Policy Agenda for the 110th Congress
DO…
News Release
A Free Market Agenda for the 110th Congress
Contact: Richard Morrison, 202.331.2273 Washington, D.C., January 10, 2007—Today the Competitive Enterprise Institute releases its policy recommendations for the new leadership…
Op-Eds
Why flying cars haven’t taken off— yet
<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = “urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office” /> A recent General Motors ad campaign is a real letdown.
News Release
Claims by Energy Security Advocates Clash with Consumer Safety Concerns
Contact: <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = “urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office” /> Jody Clarke, 202.331.2252 Washington, D.C., December 19,…
Newsletter
The Competitive Enterprise Institute Daily Update
Issues in the News 1. SCIENCE The American Meteorological Society holds a congressional briefing, “Is Global Warming Impacting, or…
Newsletter
The Competitive Enterprise Institute Daily Update
Issues in the News 1. ENERGY Oil prices hit a new spike amid continuing military and political unrest in…
Newsletter
The Competitive Enterprise Institute Daily Update
Issues in the News TRANSPORTATION New orders for Boeing could take a toll on its European rival, Airbus. …
Newsletter
The Competitive Enterprise Institute Daily Update
Issues in the News 1. TECHNOLOGY Blue Origin, the private space travel company started by Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos,…
News Release
“Who Killed the Electric Car?” – Not the Auto Industry
Contact: Jody Clarke, 202.331.2252 Washington, D.C., June 30, 2006—A new documentary blames General…
Newsletter
The Competitive Enterprise Institute Daily Update
Issues in the News TRANSPORTATION A documentary about the development of the electric car hits movie theaters. CEI Expert…
Op-Eds
Get Rid of the High Places
In one of the least surprising developments of 2006, a Louisiana politician has been snared in a corruption scandal. Democratic Congressman William Jefferson has…
Op-Eds
Homeland Bureaucracy?
Writer P.J. O'Rourke once quipped: “Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys.” It seems…
News Release
CEI To Launch National Global Warming Ad Campaign
Contact: <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = “urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office” /> Jody Clarke, 202.331.2252 [email protected] Washington,…
Products
CEI Planet: March – April 2006
Full Document Available in PDF New Era, or ‘Ancien Régime,’…
Newsletter
The Competitive Enterprise Institute Daily Update
<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = “urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office” /> Issues in the News 1. BUSINESS…
News Release
President Bush’s Call For Higher Fuel Economy Standards–A Lethal Regulatory Fix
<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = “urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags” />Washington, DC, April 28, 2006—The Competitive Enterprise Institute today called President Bush’s request for higher fuel…
News Release
President Bush’s Call For Higher Fuel Economy Standards—A Lethal Regulatory Fix
Contact:<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = “urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office” /> Jody Clarke, 202.331.2252 Washington, DC, April 28,…
News Release
Bush Should Stop Grandstanding and Get Serious About High Gas Prices
Washington, D.C., April 25, 2006—The Competitive Enterprise Institute is disappointed that President Bush has decided to make cheap political points about high gas…
Newsletter
The Competitive Enterprise Institute Daily Update
Issues in the News 1. CONGRESS The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee prepares for a hearing on greenhouse…
Op-Eds
New fuel standards unnecessary
Once again, the government has issued what it claims is a “win-win” fuel economy mandate— yes, it will raise the prices of new SUVs and…
Op-Eds
Senate Sets Up Lopsided Global Warming ‘Debate’
The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will kick off a legislative effort to address global warming next…
Newsletter
The Competitive Enterprise Institute Daily Update
Issues in the News 1. AUTOMOTIVE The Department of Transportation announces the biggest change to federal fuel economy regulations…
News Release
The Best Way to Reform CAFE is to End It
Contact: Jody Clarke, 202-331-2252 Washington, D.C., March 29, 2006—While the Department of Transportation touts higher fuel economy standards for light trucks, including SUVs, a fuel…
Newsletter
The Competitive Enterprise Institute Daily Update
Issues in the News 1. INTERNET Google scores a victory over disclosure of user information in its legal battle…
Newsletter
The Competitive Enterprise Institute Daily Update
Issues in the News 1. E-COMMERCE AOL proceeds with plans to charge a “postage” fee for mass senders of email.
Newsletter
The Competitive Enterprise Institute Daily Update
Issues in the News 1. AUTOMOBILITY The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration releases a new report on car size…
News Release
The Deadly Toll of Federal Fuel Regulations
A new study this week from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reinforces what researchers have long known: larger vehicles are safer than smaller ones…
Newsletter
The Competitive Enterprise Institute Daily Update
Issues in the News 1. LEGAL & CONSTITUTIONAL Finance company BB&T announces that it will refuse loans to developers attempting to…
Newsletter
The Competitive Enterprise Institute Daily Update
Issues in the News 1. ENERGY The debate over authorizing oil exploration in the Alaskan arctic moves into its…
News Release
Judges Deny Rehearing of Greenhouse Gas Lawsuit
Washington, D.C., December 2, 2005—The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals has turned away an appeal from state authorities and environmental groups which sought…
News Release
Misspending, Abuses Marks Tobacco Settlement Anniversary
Christine Hall, 202.331.2258 Washington, D.C., November 28, 2005—Seven years ago this month, the states signed the biggest settlement deal in history with major tobacco…
Newsletter
The Competitive Enterprise Institute Daily Update
Issues in the News 1. AUTOMOTIVE Ford Motor Co. CEO Bill Ford announces his company’s plans to focus on developing alternative…
Op-Eds
Is U.S. Embracing a Global Tax Scheme?
<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = “urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags” />Melbourne, Australia—This week, a good number of liberal activists—when not engaged in trying to stop the…
Wall Street Journal
The War Against the Car
News Release
House Should Approve New Energy Exploration
Contact: Richard Morrison, 202.331.2273 Washington, D.C., November 9, 2005—The Competitive Enterprise Institute urges the House of Representatives to keep provisions on new oil and…
Newsletter
The Competitive Enterprise Institute Daily Update
Issues in the News 1. TRADE The United Nation’s cultural agency is expected to approve a treaty authorizing countries to…
Op-Eds
Energy security and natural disasters
Reps. Jim Saxton and Eliot Engel claim the destruction inflicted by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita “has been a jarring reminder of our over reliance on…
Newsletter
The Competitive Enterprise Institute Daily Update
Issues in the News 1. LEGAL & CONSTITUTIONAL Investors Business Daily quotes Special Projects Counsel Hans Bader on the prospects of…
News Release
World Car-Free Day: Not a Day to Celebrate
<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = “urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags” />Washington, DC, September 22, 2005—Organizers of today’s ‘World Car-Free Day’ are promoting supposedly more sustainable transportation…
Newsletter
The Competitive Enterprise Institute Daily Update
Issues in the News 1. AUTOMOBILITY Anti-car activists sponsor the 2005 observance of “World Car-Free Day.” CEI Expert…
Newsletter
The Competitive Enterprise Institute Daily Update
Issues in the News 1. ENDANGERED SPECIES Congressman Richard Pombo introduces new legislation that would rewrite the Endangered Species Act to better…
News Release
Stricter Fuel Economy Rules Could Cost Lives
<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = “urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags” />Washington, D.C., September 16, 2005—Members of Congress this week introduced legislation aimed at making automobile fuel…
Newsletter
The Competitive Enterprise Institute Daily Update
Issues in the News 1. TRANSPORTATION The twin bankruptcy filings this week of Northwest Airlines and Delta Air Lines raise…
Newsletter
The Competitive Enterprise Institute Daily Update
Issues in the News 1. AUTOMOBILITY The Wall Street Journal editorializes on why tightening federal fuel economy standards would “trade blood…
Newsletter
The Competitive Enterprise Institute Daily Update
Issues in the News 1. ENERGY Lost refining capacity in the wake of Hurricane Katrina contributes to higher gas prices and…
News Release
Katrina Shows Weaknesses of Energy Supply Chain
Washington, D.C., August 30, 2005—The disruption to oil and gas operations off the coast of Louisiana by Hurricane Katrina this week has raised…
Newsletter
The Competitive Enterprise Institute Daily Update
Issues in the News 1. AUTOMOBILITY Scripps Howard columnist Jay Ambrose cites Sam Kazman’s work on the deadly effects…
Op-Eds
Fuel Efficiency Trade-Offs
Monday's Page One article “Drumbeat grows louder for fuel efficiency” cites John Lichtblau's claim that Congress missed an opportunity in the recently enacted energy…
Newsletter
The Competitive Enterprise Institute Daily Update
Issues in the News 1. AUTOMOBILITY Forbes reports on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s plan to update its fuel economy…
News Release
NHTSA to Make Fuel Economy Program Deadlier
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration today is expected to announce new fuel economy standards for light trucks, including SUVs, a move the Competitive Enterprise…
Newsletter
The Competitive Enterprise Institute Daily Update
Issues in the News 1. HEALTH & SAFETY More people are debunking the myth that fast food is responsible for obesity…
News Release
Auto Emissions Report Ignores Safety Concerns
<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = “urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags” /> Washington, D.C., August 10, 2005—Today, Environmental Defense released an updated report advocating higher restrictions on…