Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Can the US bust its gasoline addiction?

I did not have time for a blog but this comes to you from the US Department of Energy

President Obama Announces a Comprehensive National Fuel Economy Policy


President Obama acknowledged Alan Mulally, the chief executive officer of Ford Motor Company, while announcing the new auto policy. Nine other auto executives, the president of the United Auto Workers, and three administration officials joined the president for the announcement. Enlarge this photo. Credit: Samantha Appleton, White House
President Barack Obama announced a new national policy on Tuesday that will increase the fuel economy and reduce the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of all new cars and trucks sold in the United States. The policy includes proposed new fuel economy standards will cover model years 2012-2016, achieving an average fuel economy of 35.5 miles per gallon (mpg) for model year 2016. That exceeds the requirements of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, which required an average fuel economy of 35 mpg by model year 2020. The standards will also reduce carbon dioxide emissions from new vehicles by 30% by 2016. Over the lifetime of these new vehicles, they will save an estimated 1.8 billion barrels of oil and will avoid the emission of 900 million metric tons of carbon dioxide. Cars and light trucks cause 17% of the carbon dioxide emissions in the United States.
The groundbreaking policy represents an unprecedented collaboration among the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 10 of the world's largest auto manufacturers, the United Auto Workers (UAW), leaders in the environmental community, the State of California, and other state governments. Because the policy combines fuel economy regulations with GHG regulations for vehicles, it addresses the EPA's need to set GHG regulations for vehicles while also addressing California's request to set its own GHG regulations. Thirteen other states and the District of Columbia had planned to adopt California's GHG regulations. Meanwhile, 10 major car companies and the UAW have embraced the national program because it provides certainty and predictability to 2016 and includes flexibilities that will significantly reduce the cost of compliance.
To put the new policy in place, the EPA and DOT intend to initiate a joint rulemaking for new vehicle standards. The proposed standards are expected to be divided into categories of vehicles, based on the size of the vehicles, and they are expected to include a variety of measures to allow flexibility in meeting the standards, including credits earned for actions such as implementing advanced air conditioning technologies and using additional technologies that reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Such credits would be tradable among the auto manufacturers. See the White House press release and fact sheet

1 comment:

  1. Hello, my name is Jason K. After reading about the 100mpg Hummer I began to laugh. I have been trying to reach government officials and auto manufactures alike concerning my completely 100% true green vehicle/motor/electrical design. I have engineered a vehicle that does not, I repeat does not need to be plugged in to charge. It is a completly self efficiant motor. If you could contact me via email to discuss how to revolutionize the worlds auto industry and revitalize the damaged ozone I would enjoy speaking in greater depth with you about it. My email is j.kolias@yahoo.com An urgent reply is needed. Sincerly, Jason K. Inventor/Entrapanaur/Great mind

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