http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090126/ap_on_go_pr_wh/obama_greenhouse_gases
It is interesting that the Obama administration has acted so swiftly on this issue considering the state of the economy.
It shows a proactive interest in air quality as well as efficient resource management by way of the delegation of authority to the States.
I remember feeling perplexed when I read about the EPA's denial of California's request because republican administrations traditionally favor delegation to the State
The article also stated, without actually saying which direction he would go, that President Obama will order new fuel economy guidelines. I expect the standard to either increase in MPG, or tighten the timeline.
The linking of a policy proposal to clean energy supplies and the word "green" was also a nice tough.
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At 10:30 EST President Obama signed the order mandating state increasing of fuel efficiency requirements
ReplyDeleteThis is the same topic that my article for this week was about - I agree that it's an interesting and gutsy decision that will likely impact the auto industry in a tough economy. It really seems that Obama is willing to risk criticism on an economic basis in order to move toward a "greener" nation! As Phyllis Cuttino said in this article, "It is very telling that at a time when he's working feverishly to pass an $825 billion stimulus package, he took these concrete steps on day six. That speaks volumes to his commitment." I can only hope that these initial policy commitments will be fulfilled!
ReplyDeleteI looks like most people have commented on Obama's actions on Monday. This is an obvious and bold move by Obama, or does it just seem that way in comparison to the lack of action in the last 8 years? Are we just seeing a culmination of what should have been done in the past decade (30 years)? I just hope that Obama pushes forward and keeps going with these directives. In reality, he is only scratching the surface.
ReplyDeleteMy article was also about his decision to enact new fuel efficiency requirements, but this is the first article I have read where it also mentions this standard would lower our dependence on foriegn oil another big US concern. Obama is working hard on many fronts and I am happy to see that the environment is at the top of his agenda. Automakers need to stop complaining and get to work on newer technology.
ReplyDeleteI agree with all the above posts. It is very encouraging that Obama, within a week of his inauguration, at the same time as he was working the stimulus package in Congress has taken such bold moves. They might be a culmination of what we needed to be doing for the last 30 years and it is certainly time. I thinkI am most encouraged by Obama's attention to creating a green economy, so that the focus is not just environmental but it is about using clean technologies to compete in the global market, to stimulate the economy and to create new jobs. It almost has an FDRish New Deal quality to it with the TVA and other programs designed to boost infrastructure as well as the economy. Most importantly though, I think that the idea that the economy and environment is not either or will start to gel in the minds of Americans.
ReplyDeleteYou’re a radical green libertarian and I am a pretty staunch conservative (but I still support environmental issues, just not at the federal level). So, talking to you should be pretty fun. I do believe the environment should be helped but not at the federal level- Obama, I really don’t think, has the appropriate answer to the economic crises and the parallel environmental crises. You see, requiring the auto industry to meet green standards will result in a decrease in auto sales, which in turn, results in an increase in the price of green cars and a further loss of jobs for the auto industry. Because of the economic downtown, along with the significant decrease in the price of gas, consumers are shying away from price-heavy hybrids and are instead changing their preferences to cheap cars. The only way I can see Obama’s policy happening is if he too levied a severe federal tax on gas. That would make people turn to hybrids- the wealthy, but what about the average working class? This policy would wreck havoc on American households- expensive cars and expensive gas- that’s hardly encouraging for an economy in crises. A better solution is to encourage people to get off the roads- not with heavy penalties, as Obama’s plan would entail- but with an incentive that is far more agreeable-- public transportation. Why not use part of that porkulus stimulus bill--laden with very political donations that are hardly stimulus--for the greater good? I use the light-rail and I am astounding by how many people now depend on the system to take them miles and miles. Think of how much gas we are saving! Even if everyone on the light rail drove a hybrid to downtown phoenix instead, we are saving much more gas and hence less carbon footprint. Government should instead use the money to increase routes (I fully realize that this too is part of the stimulus package, but forcing auto industry to obey restrictions is so ridiculous, it might as well take that money and increase an already good thing.)
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