Oil

Sets Vehicular Emissions Standards

May 19, 2009 -- Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) today applauded the announcement by the Obama Administration that it intends to issue a proposed rule-making to increase fleetwide fuel economy standards for automobiles and light trucks to 35.5 miles per gallon by 2016.

The deal will align, or ensure functional equivalence between, the vehicular emission standards and fuel economy standards issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Highway Safety Traffic Administration (NHTSA), respectively.    » read more »

May 19, 2009 -- Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, released the following statement after President Obama announced an increase in the national emission limits for vehicles as well as an industry fuel efficiency standard average at 35.5 miles per gallon.

“I want to commend President Obama for recognizing the importance of emission limits and fuel efficiency for the future of our environment,” Dodd said. “Connecticut has been leading the way, fighting for these higher standards and I am glad that we have a President that recognizes the need for these standards.    » read more »

May 19, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.) hailed President Obama’s announcement today raising average fuel efficiency standards for cars and trucks to 35.5. miles per gallon by 2016, and requiring, for the first time, CO2 emission standards for new vehicles.

Noting that Delaware is home to the last operating domestic auto plant on the East Coast, Sen. Carper said he was encouraged that the President and Vice President are taking seriously the need to restore the health of the U.S. auto industry. Today’s announcement is a significant step forward in this effort.    » read more »

Final target equal to standard Maryland was ready to adopt

May 19, 2009 -- WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, today commended President Obama for proposing historic standards for cutting greenhouse gas emissions from cars and trucks.

The new national standard would match the final goal of what has become known as the “California Waiver,” which would have allowed states like Maryland to adopt major pollution reduction measures that would reduce harmful emissions by 30% in all vehicles sold by 2016 as well as provide major reductions in summertime smog.    » read more »

May 19th, 2009 - WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW)—and original cosponsor of a bipartisan amendment enacted as part of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 that increased the fuel efficiency of cars and light trucks for the first time in more than 30 years—made the following statement today regarding President Obama’s proposed tougher CAFE standards:    » read more »

May 19, 2009 -- OLYMPIA – Washington Governor Chris Gregoire today released the following statement on President Obama’s National Fuel Efficiency Policy announced this morning:

“I commend President Obama for taking this bold action to reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles. For years, Washington has been fighting for stricter fuel efficiency standards. It is so refreshing to have a partner in the other Washington willing to pay attention to our successes, and bring together the environmental community and the auto industry to embrace strong national emission standards to reduce our impact on global warming.    » read more »

May 18, 2009 -- “I applaud the Obama Administration’s clear-eyed decision to establish greenhouse gas standards for cars and light trucks based on California’s strict tailpipe emissions standards.

“As the first state to adopt California’s greenhouse gas emissions standards and to successfully defend them against legal challenges by the automobile industry in federal court, Vermont helped to pave the way for this decision.

“The science and economics of reducing carbon dioxide emissions from automobiles are irrefutable. Vermonters are proud that we have the smallest carbon footprint per capita in the United States. Yet, almost half of our carbon footprint comes from transportation. This decision is a significant win for the environment and for Vermonters’ pocketbooks.    » read more »

Governor also calls for the Oregon Senate to Pass HB 2186, a low carbon fuel standard for Oregon.

May 19, 2009 -- (Salem) - Oregon Governor Kulongoski today applauded the announcement by the Obama Administration that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will adopt federal tailpipe standards based on those first adopted by California in 2004, and joined by Oregon and several other states in 2005.    » read more »

New Mexico was an early leader to adopt Clean Car Standards, Federal Efforts Build on State’s

May 19, 2009 -- SANTA FE – New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson applauded President Obama’s new national fuel efficiency and clean car standards, announced today, that build on regulations New Mexico adopted in 2007. The standards will reduce our nation’s dependence on foreign oil and help combat global warming. It’s estimated the new standards will save 1.8 billion barrels of oil and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 900 million metric tons over the lifetime of the program, equivalent to taking 177 million cars off the road or 194 coal-fired power plants out of commission.    » read more »

ANNAPOLIS, MD (May 19, 2009) – Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley issued the following statement today following President Obama’s announcement of national auto emissions rules:

“For too long, the states have had to lead the way in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Today, our states have a new federal partner in our fight to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. I applaud President Obama for his leadership on this issue and for working to establish national standards for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions for the transportation sector in our country.    » read more »

May 19, 2009 -- Colorado Governor Bill Ritter today applauded the Obama administration for establishing new automobile emission and efficiency standards that will begin to take effect in 2012.

"President Obama's historic agreement to reduce automobile emissions and increase fuel efficiency will help transition America to a clean energy economy and a new energy future," Gov. Ritter said.

"These new standards will help break our dependence on foreign oil, reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, benefit consumers, and provide much-needed economic certainty and stability to the auto-manufacturing industry.    » read more »

05/18/2009 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today released the following statement regarding national vehicle greenhouse emissions standards:

“California’s relentless push for greenhouse gas reductions from automobiles is paying off not just for our state, but for all Americans, for our environment, for automakers and our economy. This historic agreement to reduce greenhouse gases will mean cleaner air for our children and grandchildren, greater economic security as we rely less on foreign oil, and a chance at renewal for our auto industry. Today, we’re seeing what happens when California leads on energy and the environment and doesn’t waiver, doesn’t get bogged down, doesn’t let obstacles get in the way.

California’s Road to Reducting Vehicle Emissions    » read more »

May 19, 2009 -- Washington – U.S. Senator Blanche Lincoln last week highlighted three initiatives included in her “Arkansas Plan” tax package that are designed to encourage innovation and entrepreneurship, resulting in job creation in Arkansas and lessening our nation’s dependence on foreign oil.

“As an agricultural state, Arkansas is in a position to utilize tremendous renewable energy resources and be a leader as our nation strives for greater energy independence,” Lincoln said. “Alternative energy sources, such as biomass and biofuels, offer job creation opportunities for new and expanding small businesses in our state. I will continue to push for incentives that will help build a strong alternative energy industry in Arkansas.”    » read more »

Prevent Consumers from Economic Benefits of Fuel Efficiency and Clean Car Standards

WASHINGTON (May 15, 2009) — Reps. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) and Edward Markey (D-Mass.) today released details (pdf) of an agreement on auctioning and allocating emissions allowances in their proposed climate and energy legislation. The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) congratulated the two congressmen for steering this landmark piece of legislation toward passage. But experts at the science group cautioned that the some of the most recent draft allocation categories should be strengthened before finalizing the bill.    » read more »

WASHINGTON, DC (May 14, 2009) – Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX), ranking member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, unveiled his version of an energy bill today.

Joe Mendelson, director of global warming policy for the National Wildlife Federation, said today:

“Rep. Barton, who’s received millions in campaign contributions from electric utilities and the oil and gas industries in recent years, has introduced a bill that’s nothing short of bailout for big polluters. We don’t need more fat paychecks for oil executives – we need clean energy jobs for Main Street.    » read more »