by Casey Williams
Special to Tribune Newspapers
November 10, 2012
There are two ways to import less oil: Pump more or reduce use. Since 1975, when the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards were set by the Department of Transportation and Environmental Protection Agency, the goal has been to do at least as much of the latter as the former. When standards were being implemented, averages were below 13-mpg. By law, they ramped up to 27.5-mpg in 1985, leading to the downsized aero rides we drive today. Bigger changes were recently passed.