In a vote taken Thursday night, December 13, the U.S. Senate approved an energy bill to increase fuel economy standards for vehicles to 35 mpg by 2020, an increase of 40 percent over current levels.

Under the plan, the 2011 model year vehicles would begin the shift to the higher mileage levels, the first congressionally ordered increase of its kind since the creation of the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards in 1975.

Approval of the bill was only achieved after Democrats in the Senate conceded to the threat of a veto by President George W. Bush who objected to tax hikes and provisions for renewable fuels in the utility industry that were tacked on to the measure.

The current measure will in all probability be approved by the House of Representatives next week before going to President Bush's desk for approval.

The new legislation has received measured support from automakers themselves who tried and failed to achieve the addition of a provision that would have given fuel economy standards precedence over greenhouse gas emissions.

The current legislation includes substantial required increases in the production of alternative fuel with incentives for both the production and purchase of products that are energy efficient.

Pundits of the legislation are terming the bill a "victory for America" that will curb energy use and greenhouse emissions without wreaking havoc in the automotive industry.