fuel efficiency

The event that’s bringing Gov. Jennifer Granholm (D-Mich.) to the White House tomorrow might be the announcement of new CAFE standards. It’s a marquee event, and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-Calif.) is en route, even though tomorrow is election day for a series of Arnold-backed California ballot initiatives.

House Democrats have just reached a compromise on a cash-for-clunkers bill that would provide financial incentives for people to trade in their old gas-guzzlers for more fuel efficient vehicles.
From the Energy and Commerce Committee’s press release:

Under the agreement, consumers may trade in their old, gas-guzzling vehicles and receive vouchers worth up to $4,500 to [...]

No, not in any sort of mushy “save the planet, save lives” way. This latest proclamation comes not from environmental groups, but from the Pentagon.
Half of all U.S. military casualties in Afghanistan and Iraq are caused by attacks on convoys, reports The Washington Post. And many of these convoys are used to transport fuel to [...]

A cash-for-clunkers scheme, which would provide financial incentives for drivers to trade in their old gas-guzzlers for new fuel-efficient cars, has gained momentum, with two competing bills in Congress. An editorial The New York Times today argued, with good reason, that one of these bills is vastly preferable to the other.
The measure supported by The [...]

Two weeks ago, the Obama administration raised fuel efficiency standards by an average of two miles per gallon — a modest change that disappointed some environmentalists, who noted that President George W. Bush had actually proposed slightly higher standards.
But now fuel efficiency appears to be due for another boost. InsideEPA reports that the administration is [...]

In his speech on the auto industry yesterday, President Obama promoted the idea of a so-called “cash-for-clunkers” program that would offer financial incentives for people to trade in their old gas-guzzlers for more fuel-efficient vehicles. “Such fleet modernization programs, which provide a generous credit to consumers who turn in old, less fuel-efficient cars and purchase [...]

Maybe there’s a way to reduce our gasoline consumption without buying everyone a Prius after all.
The Department of Transportation issued new fuel economy standards this morning for 2011 model year vehicles. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the new restrictions will bring the combined car and light truck average to 27.3 miles per [...]

How’s this for a stimulus plan?
A trio of senators introduced legislation today allowing owners of gas-guzzlers to trade their vehicles in for thousands of dollars in credit on a more fuel-efficient car.

It’s not just the government that’s considering bailing out the auto industry. Several utilities executives are considering ordering thousands of plug-in electric cars.

My previous post reports on a UC Berkeley study showing how California’s environmental policies have boosted that state’s economy.
The National Conference of State Legislatures, in conjunction with the University of Maryland and the Center for Integrative Environmental Research, is releasing reports that also show that economic and environmental interests are aligning in other states.