Barack Obama endorses low carbon fuel standard

[Ethelk2044]

http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSN1229186820070612


LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama on Tuesday proposed a federal low-carbon fuel standard patterned on California's ambitious goals.

Obama also called on U.S. automakers to double gas mileage of cars and trucks over the next two decades.

Obama assumed the stance of California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger who earlier this year proposed cutting carbon emissions in auto and truck fuels by 5 percent by 2015 and 10 percent by 2020.

"We know that transportation fuels account for a third of America's global warming pollution," the Illinois Senator said at a press event at a Brentwood gasoline station in Los Angeles. "And we know there are fuels available that emit less carbon-dioxide into the atmosphere, fuels like biodiesel and ethanol."

Schwarzenegger signed a groundbreaking executive order in January mandating the carbon dioxide cuts in fuels.

[LSparkle]

1. Damn! I'm not far from where he was ... wish I'd heard about this

I would have loved to have seen him!

[jmp]

2. Not to pick a fight with Obama but ...

The real problem is the weight of new cars. There is pressure for automakers to make cars ever more survivable in a crash, and that leads to heavier and heavier cars.

What needs to happen is a system that judges vehicles safety not just on how well they can absorb a crash, but also on how much damage they inflict in a crash ... and a tax on the "deadliest".

That would lead to much lighter cars, fewer fatal collisions, and would boost fuel economy significantly.

[lostinacause]

5. If I'm not mistaken there has been a shift from making cars that are "solid"

to cars that crumple when hit. This is done for safety reasons but also allows the vehicle to be made out of lighter materials. Manufacturing processes have also improved. Many of the bigger trucks and sport utility vehicles are selling in lower quantities because of high gas prices. For these reasons I am inclined to believe that you are wrong.

[Colobo]

3. Gobama!

[edwardsfeingold08]

4. Hopefully Obama will have a change of heart about coal as well.

The coal industry has done more than any other to degrade our atmosphere and threaten our future. Now coal barons want to further degrade the atmosphere by creating liquid fuel. And Barack Obama wants taxpayers to pay them to do it.

This CTL issue is a clear dividing line for legislators. Are you serious about global warming -- about our collective future, and our kids' future -- or are you more concerned with the parochial corporate interests of your home state?

http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2007/5/11/113643/964

[Radical Activist]

7. Already Done.

Although I would call it a clarification to defend against unfair attacks based on an exaggerated description of his position. Obama has a great environmental record over his entire career.

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-energypol13jun13,0,214084.story?coll=la-politics-campaign

[Telly Savalas]

6. I like the guy and all

but where's the legislation in the Senate which aims to achieve these things? Isn't that his day job?

[Radical Activist]

8. There's a huge energy bill in the Senate right now.

Obama is involved. You should be calling your Senator about it if you haven't already.

[Telly Savalas]

9. It doesn't look like the energy bill will address carbon emissions.

"Congressional leaders say regulations on carbon dioxide and other emissions linked to climate change won't be included, but Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D., Minn.) might offer an amendment to require midsize to big businesses to report annual emissions of greenhouse gases."

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB118169203599833140.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

Given the pressing climate crisis, isn't a tad on the ridiculous side that an energy bill doesn't touch the issue of carbon emissions?

[Radical Activist]

10. If that were true then it would be.

The bill addresses fuel economy standards and promotes clean alternative energy, all of which reduces carbon emissions, even if it doesn't set caps.
And the fact that nothing in the bill is final is a good reason to call up your Senator and make your point.