Dec 18 2007
Increased Fuel & Energy Efficiency Standards a Good Start
This is a good start to solving some of the energy problems the United States faces:
Congress by a wide margin approved the first increase in automobile fuel economy in 32 years Tuesday, and President Bush has signaled he will accept the mandates on the auto industry.
The energy bill, boosting mileage by 40 percent to 35 miles per gallon, passed the House 314-100 and now goes to the White House, following the Senate’s approved last week.
…it requires new energy efficiency standards for an array of appliances, lighting and commercial and government buildings. AP
The only question I have about it is the increased reliance on ethanol produced solely from corn. With food prices skyrocketing over the past year, lowering the supply and increasing the demand for a basic food ingredient isn’t going to help. The increased demand on corn also drives up other food prices as farmers abandon traditional crops like wheat and soybeans to cash in on high corn prices, thus raising the prices for those crops as well.
With food prices skyrocketing over the past year, lowering the supply and increasing the demand for a basic food ingredient isn’t going to help. The increased demand on corn also drives up other food prices as farmers abandon traditional crops like wheat and soybeans to cash in on high corn prices, thus raising the prices for those crops as well.
You are repeating Republican talking points here, but your point is valid. This is so obvious it would be funny, if not so sad, that out “leaders” fail to recognize this.
Another example of government idiocy.
This is another example why I believe LESS government should be the aim of every American.
Congress passes a mandate, Bush signs it—problem solved. Here’s a prediction: to meet this mandate cars will be smaller, lighter, less safe and more expensive.
This bill also mandates a SIX FOLD increase in ethanol use by 2020, so it’s also a mandate for an increase in food prices. But there’s more, once this bill goes into law the federal government will be mandating the design of toasters, blenders, ovens, light bulbs and everything else you use in the kitchen or the workshop….this bill isn’t a good start, it’s an unmitigated disaster, an assault on the poor and middle class.
Correction, the bill mandates a FIVE FOLD increase in ethanol use.