Consider The Total Carbon Footprint – Coal Partially Powers Electric Cars
If you’re thinking about an electric car in your future you might want to read this article on Twilight Earth that addresses the concerns that much of our electricity comes from burning coal. It is important to remember that it’s our total carbon footprint that matters not just the output at the tailpipe.
Photo credit Wikipedia Commons.
New Fuel Economy Standards – It’s About Time
This is a step in the right direction. Beginning in 2012 fuel economy standards will begin to improve. They will increase by 5% a year to a fleet average (cars/trucks) to 35.5 MPG by 2016. Some people this is is too much too fast but then you have people like me that would like to have seen this happen years ago.
The other thing that seems obvious about Obama is that he’s very focused on keeping America stable and moving forward. For example the only reason for so much government involvement in the repair of the economy is clear evidence that he thinks stability and security are more important than concerns of increased government control.
My guess is that he’s implemented these new standards because he knows, better than you or me, that we’re going to be in deeper trouble if we continue our reliance on oil. If anyone knows when we can expect peak oil it’s the President of the United States, (and the Saudis of course).
If consumer demand isn’t enough for the auto makers to change their products then the government must step in, which is really too bad too. I personally hate big government but even I must admit that when the vast majority of people are too busy consuming to notice the bigger problem, and corporations are too busy staying alive any way they can, someone has to step up to the plate and make some strategic decisions to help us avoid certain disaster.
I personally don’t need a fuel standard like this. I hardly drive anywhere anymore and if I were to buy a new (or new used) car I’d get the most efficient vehicle I could.
