Originally published on Gas2. Congressman Fred Upton is the senior representative from the great state of Michigan in the US Congress. He is also the chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. During hearings last week, Congressman Upton called for relaxing the CAFE targets the government will set after it … [continued]
As far as I’ve read, the auto industry has fought improvements to cut pollution every step of the way — for decades. It consistently brings in the claim that “this will drive down consumer demand and hurt the economy.” The fuel-economy improvements don’t do that. In fact, US auto consumers so … [continued]
A new study from researchers at Carnegie Mellon University has found that the federal laws incentivizing the sale of alternative-fuel vehicles (Corporate Average Fuel Economy/CAFE standards) could lead to a short-term increase in the total fuel consumption and emissions associated with new vehicles from major auto manufacturers. “Recent updates of … [continued]
Here’s a follow-up post from the CleanTechnica reader who supplied us with “Not Crashing Our Boat — Finding Our Way Out of the Climate Crisis” (be sure to read that first post before proceeding): As I reported a couple weeks ago, US CO2 emissions, after rising for many years, reached … [continued]
As the federal government starts implementing an aggressive 54.5 mile-per-gallon (mpg) auto fuel efficiency standard, the importance of reducing gasoline consumption for a sustainable American economy and environment becomes clearer every day.
I spent the day at the Verdexchange conference, and heard a lot of interesting news on topics ranging from ESG reporting to Waste to Energy conversion and so much in between. Highlights included witnessing the beginning phases of California’s carbon market being developed, hearing Mayor Villaraigosa freestyle at the end of his speech and speak from the heart about his passion for making LA as much a Clean Tech Capital as it is the world’s Entertainment Capital.
I’ve just been notified by one of my senators, I have two, that the administration has announced a hike in CAFE standards to 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025. I heard the news several day ago but most of us have better sources than the Senate. I had to sit down for a minute to let that shocking information sink in. I wondered for a second or two why they went for the fraction, what was it about the last 2640 feet per gallon that so tested their courage or was so beyond the range of their vision that they didn’t simply roll all the way to 55 mpg.
In recent years a greater emphasis on MPG during car shopping has emerged. Between fluctuating gasoline prices, a broader selection of hybrid vehicles, and the promise of plug-ins and battery electric vehicles, and mandated increases in CAFE standards, fuel economy is becoming an important vehicle characteristic for many consumers. Makers … [continued]
