Fuel Efficiency, Imports, and H1N1

The Obama Administration plans to increase fuel efficiency standards.

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative releases the 2010 National Trade Estimate report.

The Centers for Disease Control may have to discard millions of doses of flu vaccine.

1. ENVIRONMENT

The Obama Administration plans to increase fuel efficiency standards.

CEI Experts Available to Comment: Energy Policy Analyst William Yeatman and General Counsel Sam Kazman on why stricter fuel efficiency standards are dangerous.

“Fuel efficiency standards kill because one of the easiest ways for automakers to meet them is to make smaller cars. That’s problematic, because smaller cars are less safe. Research has shown that the smallest cars have occupant death rates that are more than twice those of large cars.”

2. TRADE

The Office of the US Trade Representative releases the 2010 National Trade Estimate report.

CEI Experts Available to Comment: Adjunct Scholar Fran Smith on what’s wrong with the report.

“This year’s report endorses President Obama’s plan to focus on increasing exports while largely ignoring imports. [. . .] Every day, Americans enjoy the luxury of affordable products from around the globe. An increase in imports would greatly benefit the average American consumer through providing greater choice and lower prices for consumers, while encouraging competition and innovation, which leads to higher quality goods and services.”

3. HEALTH

The Centers for Disease Control may have to discard millions of doses of flu vaccine.

CEI Expert Available to Comment: Adjunct Scholar Michael Fumento on why the CDC should never have bought so many vaccines.

“And indeed, the latest CDC estimate, with the flu almost gone, is that 12,000 Americans have died this season as opposed to the typical 36,000. And as I’ve written, data from other countries indicate the CDC estimates are almost certainly far too high.”