Comments on: Senate Passes Energy Bill http://priceofoil.org/2007/06/22/senate-passes-energy-bill/ Oil Change International campaigns to expose the true costs of oil and facilitate the coming transition towards clean energy. We are dedicated to identifying and overcoming political barriers to that transition. Thu, 04 Dec 2008 03:22:14 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 By: Everett http://priceofoil.org/2007/06/22/senate-passes-energy-bill/#comment-77546 Everett Mon, 25 Jun 2007 05:57:12 +0000 http://priceofoil.org/2007/06/22/senate-passes-energy-bill/#comment-77546 I dont see how you have all this information. The article does not tell us the title of the bill... how can we find it online and research it? Usually the short title of the bill is given, such as "``Biofuels for Energy Security and Transportation Act of 2007" I dont see how you have all this information. The article does not tell us the title of the bill… how can we find it online and research it? Usually the short title of the bill is given, such as ““Biofuels for Energy Security and Transportation Act of 2007″

]]> By: Steve Kretzmann http://priceofoil.org/2007/06/22/senate-passes-energy-bill/#comment-76056 Steve Kretzmann Sat, 23 Jun 2007 12:06:10 +0000 http://priceofoil.org/2007/06/22/senate-passes-energy-bill/#comment-76056 So, lets look at this thing for a second: First, while increasing fuel economy standards is undeniably long overdue, and any progress is better than nothing (which has been the case for the last 20 years), this bill sets a goal of 35mpg by 2020. Put another way, by the time my kindergardener enters college, the average fleet standard will be equivalent to the Honda Civic we drive now, and only slightly better than half as efficient as a Prius. Woopee. Oh, and of course the standard can be waived at the request of the auto industry if they determine that its causing them financial hardship. Uh oh. Second, the alternative fuels standard requirement relies heavily on corn ethanol and palm oil. Not very alternative, and not very helpful at all from a climate perspective (arguably worse, in fact). Finally, the best parts of the bill - that would have taxed the oil industry to fund renewables - got defeated. Looks like there is still plenty of work to do. So, lets look at this thing for a second:

First, while increasing fuel economy standards is undeniably long overdue, and any progress is better than nothing (which has been the case for the last 20 years), this bill sets a goal of 35mpg by 2020. Put another way, by the time my kindergardener enters college, the average fleet standard will be equivalent to the Honda Civic we drive now, and only slightly better than half as efficient as a Prius. Woopee.

Oh, and of course the standard can be waived at the request of the auto industry if they determine that its causing them financial hardship. Uh oh.

Second, the alternative fuels standard requirement relies heavily on corn ethanol and palm oil. Not very alternative, and not very helpful at all from a climate perspective (arguably worse, in fact).

Finally, the best parts of the bill - that would have taxed the oil industry to fund renewables - got defeated.

Looks like there is still plenty of work to do.

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