Advances in car design and technology are yielding cleaner cars and more options for drivers, including electric cars, hybrids and plug-in hybrids. Recently announced fuel efficiency standards to deliver almost 55 mpg by 2025 will free drivers from high gas prices, reduce America’s dependence on oil and curb dangerous pollution. These higher standards will also ensure the American auto industry gets back to work creating innovative cars and leading the world in advanced vehicle manufacturing.
Posted February 9, 2012 by Max Baumhefner in Living Sustainably, Moving Beyond Oil, Solving Global Warming, The Media and the Environment, U.S. Law and Policy
Congressman Issa recently called a hearing to accuse the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (“NHTSA”) of a cover up related to its now closed investigation into the post-crash fire risk posed by the Chevy Volt’s lithium-ion batteries. Issa’s theatrics only...continued→
Posted February 7, 2012 by Christina Angelides in Solving Global Warming
Just who is South Carolina Sen. Jim DeMint working for? Last week, the Republican senator introduced legislation (S. 2064) that would terminate existing incentives for clean energy technologies. You’d think South Carolina’s senator would want to protect his state’s interests,...continued→
Posted February 1, 2012 by Dan Lashof in Solving Global Warming
How about a little good news for a change? Something strange happened after the failure of comprehensive climate and energy legislation in 2010. Projections of future carbon emissions went down. Part of that is due to the Great Recession of...continued→
Posted January 30, 2012 by Roland Hwang in Moving Beyond Oil, Solving Global Warming, U.S. Law and Policy
Tomorrow, the President is scheduled to visit the DC auto show and see firsthand the fuel efficiency technologies that are a key reason for the Detroit automakers remarkable rebound. As I said in a previous blog responding to last week’s State...continued→
Posted January 27, 2012 by Simon Mui in Moving Beyond Oil, Solving Global Warming
Just moments ago, the California Air Resources Board (ARB) voted unanimously (9-0) to move forward with its landmark clean car standards. When the rule is fully implemented by 2025, new cars will emit 75% less smog pollution, 50% less carbon...continued→
Posted January 25, 2012 by Roland Hwang in Moving Beyond Oil, Solving Global Warming, U.S. Law and Policy
Top safety regulators at the National Highway Traffic Safety Transportation Administration (“NHTSA”) have closed the books on the Chevy Volt safety investigation. NHSTA concluded last Friday that it does not believe the Volt and other electric vehicles “pose a greater...continued→
Posted January 24, 2012 by Roland Hwang in Moving Beyond Oil, Solving Global Warming, U.S. Law and Policy
In his State of the Union speech, President Obama touted the remarkable turnaround of the auto industry. Critical to this turnaround was the original clean car agreement the administration brokered in 2009. That agreement helped lay the foundations for the industry’s...continued→
Posted January 21, 2012 by Roland Hwang
After last week’s public hearings on the 54.5 mpg proposal, it’s clear that National Auto Dealers Association (NADA) is isolated in its opposition. Even long time opponents of fuel efficiency standards, like Congressman Dingell, UAW, and GM, all are now firmly...continued→
Posted January 20, 2012 by Simon Mui in Curbing Pollution, Moving Beyond Oil, Solving Global Warming
At a time when consumers and businesses are being held hostage to oil rising to over $100 a barrel, our oil dependency is once again threatening our economic recovery. It would seem like we have little control in all of...continued→
Posted January 20, 2012 by Roland Hwang in Moving Beyond Oil, Solving Global Warming, U.S. Law and Policy
The 2012 season for major American auto shows is in full swing, with the Detroit venue running through this weekend, and Washington D.C. starting next week. Already, we are seeing the year’s auto theme emerging: higher fuel efficiency doesn’t mean...continued→
