Working Cooperatively to Improve Fuel Efficiency in the US

Many have trouble reconciling the seemingly disparate interests of government, automakers and environmentalists, but as the new rules on US cars and light trucks, as well as long-haul trucks and buses reveals, diverse groups can work together to produce the best results for all stakeholders.

"These standards will help spur economic growth, protect the environment, and strengthen our national security by reducing America’s dependence on foreign oil,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “Working together, we are setting the stage for a new generation of clean vehicles.”

New Rules for US Cars and Light Trucks

As part of the national vehicle program, the Obama administration is reducing emissions with new fuel efficiency standards. These new rules will require cars and light trucks manufactured in the US to get 54.5 mpg by 2025. According to the Office of the Press Secretary, these standards will require performance equivalent to 163 grams/ mile of CO2 by model year 2025. In addition to lowing emissions these new standards will also drive innovation that will fuel economic growth and create good jobs. These new rules will save consumers $1.7 trillion in gas, which breaks down to $8K per vehicle by 2025.

New Rules for US Trucks and Buses

US industry officials are welcoming new rules for trucks and buses that will cut greenhouse gas emissions and fuel usage. The Obama administration set the nation’s first ever fuel efficiency rules for both heavy-duty trucks and buses. These rules apply to everything from big yellow school busses to tractor trailers.

On the Anniversary of the Bombing of Nagasaki Japan Vows to Develop More Renewable Energy

As the city of Nagasaki held a solemn memorial for the victims of the nuclear bomb that devastated that city on August 9, 1945, the city's mayor joined Japan's Prime Minister Naoto Kan in calling for a shift from nuclear power to renewable energy.

The Credit Downgrade and the Green Economy

In the wake of the US credit downgrade entitlement reform may be the only hope for the green economy. Many believe that the battle against climate change cannot be fought with a weakened economy. The credit downgrade will increase pressure to resist any new government investments particularly those related to combating climate change.

Let Boehner Know that US Competitiveness Should not be Compromised

Under the cuts imposed by the Republicans, US competitiveness is being compromised. The American people expect Congress to come together to ensure that America can be competitive with the rest of the world. To be competitive forward looking nations are investing in the green economy because they understand that competitiveness is increasingly about sustainable economic growth and green jobs.

Ontario's Green Energy Investments in Sault Ste. Marie

Ontario’s Green Energy Act is providing jobs and benefiting the environment in places like Sault Ste. Marie. According to a news release from MPP David Orazietti, Green energy has already created over 900 construction jobs and 110 permanent jobs in the Sault and Algoma region.

“The Ontario Green Energy Act is the most visionary program for renewable power generation in North America and Heliene Inc. is proud to have made the solar modules that are on top of the local Water Treatment Plant,” said Martin Pochtaruk, President of Heliene Inc. “We need this alternative energy program to remain in place for years to come in order to replace old coal-power generation with modern green technologies and, more importantly, we need this framework to stay in place to provide our youth with a sustainable future, clean air and value added manufacturing jobs.”

Ontario's Green Energy Act is Leading the Green Economy

Ontario is leading North America with an energy vision focused on renewable energy and conservation. The province's vision is spurring the economy and creating green jobs. Ontario’s Green Energy Act (GEA) became law on May 14, 2009. Regulations to fully implement the legislation were introduced in September 2009.

Since 2003, Ontario has brought more than 1,200 megawatts of new renewable energy on-line. New renewable energy projects already in place or under construction in Ontario since 2003 represent a total investment of over $4.6 billion.

The GEA builds on the Ontario government’s earlier initiatives, including plans to eliminate coal from the power supply. Coal-fired generation is the single largest source of air pollution in Ontario and eliminating it from the supply mix will be the largest climate change initiative in Canada.

Investing in Green Economic Growth

A report by the UN Environment Program (UNEP), indicates that a relatively small investment by governments can go a long way towards helping the green economy to grow. According to Pavan Sukhdev, head of UNEP's Green Economy Initiative:

"Governments have a central role in changing laws and policies, and in investing public money in public wealth to make the transition possible. By doing so, they can also unleash the trillions of dollars of private capital in favor of a green economy."

An investment of 2 percent of the global gross demestic product ($1.3 trillion), could generate momentum toward a low-carbon world. Investing in the greening of sectors such as construction, energy and fishing could jump start the new green economy.

"Investing 2 per cent of global GDP into 10 key sectors can kick-start a transition toward a low-carbon world," the Nairobi-based agency said in a statement.

Such investments would not slow the economy. The report indicates that this investment would grow the global economy at the same rate, or higher, then present economic policies. Greener policies would still grow economies while reducing the ecological footprint by nearly 50 percent in the next 40 years. Despite some job losses, investment in more sustainable jobs would offset losses.

"The sum, currently amounting to an average of around $1.3 trillion a year and backed by forward-looking national and international policies, would grow the global economy at around the same rate if not higher than those forecast, under current economic models."

The report said that ten sectors (agriculture, buildings, energy supply, fisheries, forestry, industry, tourism, transport, waste management and water) could all benefit the environment if they were more green.

Left to purely market forces this transition would occur over time, however, the urgency of climate change demands immediate attention and these types of investments are the most productive way to spur the growth of the green economy.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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British Government to Lead the Green Economy

A new legally binding green deal has been agreed upon by British cabinet ministers. The deal will commit the UK to two decades of drastic cuts in carbon emissions. The deal has major implications for citizens, transportation and business.

The deal was reached despite strong disagreements between those who supported the plan and those who were concerned about cost. The deal puts the UK ahead of any all other nations in terms of the legal commitments it is making to curb greenhouse gases.

Recently the heads of 15 green campaign groups wrote to British Prime Minister David Cameron expressing their concern about his environmental policy. Cameron responded by making good on his promise to lead the "greenest government ever." Britain is now the world leader in cutting carbon emissions as it is the only nation with legally binding commitments past 2020. The deal will also see Britain set up a green investment bank.

The new budget puts the government on target to meet a reduction by 2050 of 80% of carbon emissions compared with 1990 levels. The government has accepted the report from the independent committee on climate change which has said that to reach these goals carbon emissions should be cut by 60% by 2030. The committee also says 40% of the UK's power should come from wind, wave and tide sources by 2030

This will drive investment and stimulate new industries in offshore wind technology, tidal power, wave generators and carbon capture. In the wind sector alone we can expect to see significant investments from major companies like Siemens, Vestas and General Electric.

The opportunities for business are extraordinary. The independent committee says the new carbon deal will require that heat pumps be installed in 2.6m homes by 2025. It also says that by the same date 31% of new cars, and 14% of those on the road overall, will be electric. To achieve these ambitious goals a total of £16bn of investment will be needed every year to meet the commitment.

The British see the wisdom of investing in a low carbon economy now, rather than paying more later. We can only hope that North America will one day follow her lead.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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