Follow-up to Oral Testimony ‘Hearing to Examine the Rise of Domestic Energy Prices’

The Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) outlines immediate strategies to lower U.S. crude oil demand, arguing that a 5% to 9% reduction would remove 1.0 to 1.8 million barrels per day from the global market. Proposed measures include reducing speed limits for non-Class 8 vehicles to 60 MPH, increasing the federal Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) for trucks to 110,000 lbs, and mandating Auxiliary Power Units (APUs) for new Class 8 tractors. RMI suggests these actions, combined with increased biofuel procurement and the adoption of 'total-flex' vehicle technology, would restore global excess capacity to 2.5 to 3.8 million barrels per day, thereby reducing price volatility.

• A reduction in U.S. crude oil demand of 5% to 9% would lower global demand by 1.0 to 1.8 million barrels per day, or 1.2% to 2.1% of global consumption, which RMI argues is sufficient to stabilize market prices and absorb future shocks.
• Current global oil market excess capacity is estimated at 1.5 to 2.0 million barrels per day, whereas a stable balance requires 3.0 to 3.5 million barrels per day.
• Reducing speed limits for non-Class 8 vehicles to 60 MPH on Federal and State roads could save 4% to 6% of gasoline usage, representing approximately 2% to 3% of total U.S. crude oil consumption.
• Proposed diesel-specific measures, including reducing heavy truck speed limits to 55 MPH and raising the federal Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GWVR) to 110,000 lbs, aim to eliminate 12% to 18% of diesel use, or 1% to 2% of crude oil.
• Mandating Auxiliary Power Units (APUs) on all new Class 8 tractors could eliminate approximately 8% to 9% of truck diesel fuel, which equates to 4% to 5% of all diesel.
• To increase supply and diversify fuels, RMI recommends that the General Services Administration (GSA) sign long-term contracts for E85 biofuel blends for up to 30% of its fuel requirements to help finance new plants.
• The adoption of 'total-flex' technology, which allows vehicles to run on any blend of gasoline and ethanol, is highlighted as a successful model in Brazil where it has replaced over 25% of gasoline with sugar-cane ethanol.

APA

RMI (2005). Follow-up to Oral Testimony ‘Hearing to Examine the Rise of Domestic Energy Prices’. https://rmi.org/app/uploads/2017/05/RMI_Document_Repository_Public-Reprts_Letter-to-Senator-Snowe-Short-term-measures-for-Crude.pdf

Chicago

RMI. Follow-up to Oral Testimony ‘Hearing to Examine the Rise of Domestic Energy Prices’. 2005. https://rmi.org/app/uploads/2017/05/RMI_Document_Repository_Public-Reprts_Letter-to-Senator-Snowe-Short-term-measures-for-Crude.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=RMI |title=Follow-up to Oral Testimony ‘Hearing to Examine the Rise of Domestic Energy Prices’ |date=30 September 2005 |url=https://rmi.org/app/uploads/2017/05/RMI_Document_Repository_Public-Reprts_Letter-to-Senator-Snowe-Short-term-measures-for-Crude.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{rmi2005followup, author = {{RMI}}, title = {{Follow-up to Oral Testimony ‘Hearing to Examine the Rise of Domestic Energy Prices’}}, publisher = {RMI}, year = {2005}, month = sep, url = {https://rmi.org/app/uploads/2017/05/RMI_Document_Repository_Public-Reprts_Letter-to-Senator-Snowe-Short-term-measures-for-Crude.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }