I know that Sen. Harry Reid's outburst on fossil fuels is so two days ago, but having had a chance to drive in Nevada recently, I thought of another way last night in which Sen. Reid can work for the reduction of oil consumption.

The National Maximum Speed Law, a provision of the 1974 Emergency Highway Energy Conservation Act, was repealed in 1995, allowing states to set their own speed limits. Sen. Reid voted yes on the National Highway System Designation Act of 1995, which repealed all federal speed limit controls.

To the right is a speed limit map (full pdf) for the state of Nevada. You will notice the abundance of pink and mustard lines representing highways with 75mph and 70mph speed limits.  Combined with the blue 65mph lines, most of the state is covered.

Given the passion of Senator Reid's desire to "stop using fossil fuel" I am positive that he would want his state to lead the nation in energy efficiency. Using his political power in Nevada the Senator should easily be able to convince the Governor to reduce highway speed limits to 55mph. The state's drivers will surely thank him appropriately in 2010.