California and the nation have a reason to celebrate. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) voted unanimously to pass a resolution that accepts compliance with federal greenhouse gas emission standards established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) fuel economy program as compliance with CA's vehicle emissions standards.In addition to what automakers said in California last week, the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers - which represents GM, Ford, Chrysler, Toyota and many other major automakers - has specifically expressed support for EPA finalizing its greenhouse gas standards along with new fuel economy standards: "It's important to manufacturers to have those rules in place so that we can finalize future product plans," said alliance spokesman Charles Territo.
Sierra Club California's Director, Bill Magavern testified at the hearing applauding CARB for setting the example for the rest of the nation when it comes to setting standards to reduce greenhouse gas emissions spewing from our passenger vehicles. The auto manufacturers showed up, but this time it was to applaud CARB and the US EPA for taking steps to set national greenhouse gas standards. In fact, the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers (AIAM) and Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers (AAM) both testified that they look forward to working on setting the next wave of national greenhouse gas standards for model years 2017 and beyond. Sierra Club California will be working hard to hold them to their end of the bargain.
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions coming from our cars and trucks across the country could significantly clean up our air for our children and future generations, create new jobs and advance technology by creating a new green vehicle industry. Union of Concerned Scientists research shows that by setting high standards drivers could save tens of billions of dollars, curb US oil usage by 1.3 million barrels each day by 2020, and cut emissions that cause global warming by 217 million metric tons in 2020.
Next steps include the US EPA setting the final national standards by March 31, 2010.
The project is part of the RE-Powering America's Land initiative, which aims to decrease the amount of green space used for development, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and provide health and economic benefits to local communities, including job creation.
The project will analyze the potential development of wind, solar, or small hydro development at 12 sites. The analysis will include determining the best renewable energy technology for the site, the optimal location for placement of the renewable energy technology on the site, potential energy generating capacity, the return on the investment, and the economic feasibility of the renewable energy projects. The 12 sites are located in Calif., Fla., Kan., Mass., Mich., Minn., Pa., Puerto Rico, R.I., W.Va., and Wis.
Environmentalists say the industry's reaction is blown out of proportion. Sierra Club Executive Director Carl Pope called the arguments about job losses "scare tactics." Ending "wasteful and unnecessary giveaways … will help correct some of the market distortions that unfairly advantage dirty energy at the expense of clean energy," Pope said.
According to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics, the oil and gas sector reported spending more than $168 million to lobby Congress last year on climate change, taxes and other issues, a 26 percent jump over $133 million in 2008. Energy industry spending last year dwarfed expenditures by environmental groups that reported $22.5 million in lobbying last year. That included $1.9 million from the Environmental Defense Fund and $2.2 million from the Nature Conservancy.And finally, as those Congressional pushes to end those tax breaks for oil and gas companies, you can use this handy new 2009 Congressional Scorecard from the League of Conservation Voters to figure out just how your elected official will most likely vote on legislation related to it all.
Exxon Mobil's lobbying bill was $27.4 million last year, while Chevron Corp. invested $20.8 million and ConocoPhillips $18 million.
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"The hope is that the dark ash will absorb the sun's energy and help 'rot' the ice so it breaks up into smaller chunks and washes downstream, Berndt said."Coal ash contains heavy metals like lead, mercury, arsenic and more – all of which are linked to increased rates of cancer, learning disabilities and reproductive problems. The metals can be ingested through the dust or when dissolved in water.