President Bush called Tuesday night for a dramatic increase in auto fuel efficiency standards, a step long-dreaded by an already battered auto industry.
Increased auto mileage was part of Bush's call for an overall 20 percent reduction in America's use of gasoline before 2017 -- primarily through the expanded use of ethanol and other alternative fuels.
Bush's energy plan, offering little if any assistance to automakers, that sparked the greatest reaction Tuesday night from Michigan lawmakers -- including his fellow Republicans.
U.S. Rep. Joe Knollenberg, R-Bloomfield Hills, called the plan "a debacle. We don't need the hammer of job-killing (fuel efficiency) increases."
"This proposal would lead to more job cuts and plant closings in Michigan. It would discriminate against the Big Three and accelerate the push of Toyota and Honda to grab more market share," he said.
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