Airlines Fretting Over New Fuel Laws

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Congress is preparing to take up climate-change legislation, and the airline industry is wary.

It's not that airlines, which will spend an estimated $54 billion on jet fuel in 2008 and are being rocked by higher fuel costs, don't want to conserve energy and reduce emissions. Rather, because they have been working for years to cut fuel consumption, now the biggest cost item for many, they won't be rewarded for their efforts as much as Johnny-come-latelies will.

Additionally, the industry fears the legislation will siphon off money that could go modernize fleets, which could result in reduced fuel use, due to the necessity to purchase emissions permits. ...