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Transportation
Currently, one-third of total U.S. carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and more than 9 percent of global CO2 emissions originate from the transportation sector. In years past, the basic framework of U.S. transportation policy has favored highway and road projects over low-carbon non-highway alternatives. This framework was largely reaffirmed in 2005. However, the 2009 transportation bill could be a turning point for new policies and funding that promote clean transportation options like rail and mass transit, which help mitigate global warming. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act included $48 billion for transportation projects, nearly half of which went to non-highway projects such as high-speed rail and buses.The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act included $48 billion for transportation projects, nearly half of which went to non-highway projects such as high-speed rail and buses. In addition, President Obama directed the EPA to review the Bush administration's decision to reject California's request to enforce stricter greenhouse gas emission standards for motor vehicles. If the EPA grants the so-called "California Waiver," it will allow California and 13 other states with the same model to enforce higher mileage standards and a faster phase-in schedule.
Related Resources
Letter to Congress: Oppose H.R. 7 – American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act of 2012A Group sign-on Letter to Members of Congresses asking them to Oppose H.R. 7 – American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act of 2012
Letter Opposing Senator Thune’s European Union Emissions Trading Scheme Prohibition Act of 2011Oppose Senator Thune’s European Union Emissions Trading Scheme Prohibition Act of 2011 (S.1956), which could force U.S.-based airlines to violate a European anti-pollution law governing flights to, from, and within Europe. Similarly, we strongly oppose inclusion of such provisions in the FAA Reauthorization bill.
Clinton CEO Letter on Durban 11.29.11Dear Secretary Clinton: We are writing to express our concerns about the negotiating positions and strategy of the United States going into the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which starts this week in Durban, South Africa. These are concerns our organizations have previously raised with your negotiators in meetings and conversations over the past year, and that at the outset of the Durban meeting, we feel compelled to bring to your attention directly.
Pew Letter to the President on CAFE StandardsThe Pew Environment group strongly supports the new CAFE Standards and asks President Obama to protect these important vehicle emissions and fuel standards.
EPA and NHTSA Adopt First-Ever Program to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Improve Fuel Efficiency of Medium- and Heavy-Duty Engines and VehiclesEPA and NHTSA Adopt First-Ever Program to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Improve Fuel Efficiency of Medium- and Heavy-Duty Engines and Vehicles
Paving the Way Toward Cleaner, More Efficient TrucksPaving the Way Toward Cleaner, More Efficient Trucks
Voters in America’s Auto & Manufacturing Heartland Want 60 MPG Fuel Economy Standard by 2025According to the poll conducted by the Mellman Group for CERES on April 9-12, 2011, voters in Ohio and Michigan states that are seen as America’s auto & manufacturing heartland, want 60 MPG fuel economy standard by 2025. “80 percent of likely Ohio voters and 70 percent of likely Michigan voters believe a national 60 mpg standard will encourage American car makers to innovate, boosting sales and protecting American auto jobs.” In order to reach the 60 mpg average fuel economy goal by 2025 drivers would have to increase fuel economy by 6 percent a year over the current 2016 standard of 35 mpg. Proposed standards are expected to be released in September.
Cleaner Cars Less Foreign OilA brief from March 30th by the Center for American Progress, the Sierra Club, and the League of Conservation Voters outlines the policies needed to reduce U.S. dependence on oil. “Cleaner Cars Less Foreign Oil” links the price of oil, the drain on the U.S. economy from dependence on oil, and measures that can move the country toward a cleaner energy economy. A critical recommendation centers on domestic manufacturing of cars that get 60 mpg by 2020 and trucks that are 15% more fuel-efficient – as well as investing in electric cars are modernizing the transportation infrastructure. The plan also recommends eliminating subsidies for oil companies and preventing speculators from driving up prices, along with reducing U.S. foreign oil use by 5% percent annually to slash these imports in half by 2022. Document Actions |
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