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The Fuel Economy Reform Act

Last Wednesday, Senators Barack Obama (D-IL), Richard Lugar (R-IN), Joseph Biden (D-DE), Gordon Smith (R-OR), Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), Tom Harkin (D-IA), Norm Coleman (R-MN) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) introduced the Fuel Economy Reform Act to break the legislative and administrative logjam that has prevented fuel economy standards from being raised for more than 20 years. A New Approach The Fuel Economy Reform Act of 2006 seeks to break the logjam on establishing greater vehicle fuel economy by establishing a target, rather than a mandate, of a 4 percent annualized increase in Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards – a rate that the National Academy of Sciences has determined is possible – unless the experts at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) justify a deviation in that rate by proving that the increase is technologically unachievable, cannot maintain overall fleet safety, or is not cost-effective when comparing with the economic and geopolitical value of a gallon of gasoline saved. Higher Fuel Economy Standards If the 4 percent per year target is met for 10 years after the continuous provision improvements go into effect, this bill will save 1.3 million barrels of oil per day and 20 billion gallons of gasoline […]

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China Wind Power Boom May Bust

URL: http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/37362/story.htm Website: http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/37362/story.htm     

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EPA Identifies Environmentally Friendly Computers

More than 60 desktop computers, laptops, and monitors from three manufacturers were recognized today as part of a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) funded effort to identify high-performance, environmentally friendly computer equipment. All of the products meet the new EPEAT “green” computer standard and they are listed online in the EPEAT database. Compared to traditional computer equipment, all EPEAT-registered computers have reduced levels of cadmium, lead, and mercury to better protect human health and the environment. They are more energy efficient, which reduces emissions of climate changing greenhouse gases. They are also easier to upgrade and recycle. In fact, manufacturers must offer safe recycling options for the products when they are no longer useable. EPEAT products are identified as EPEAT-Bronze, EPEAT-Silver, or EPEAT-Gold depending on the number of optional environmental criteria incorporated in the product. Ed Pinero, the White House Federal Environmental Executive explained that “EPEAT is a great example of market-based environmental stewardship. It creates a powerful tool for purchasers to select environmentally preferable products and creates a clear set of rules for the manufacturers to follow to meet that demand.” “EPEAT makes it possible for purchasers to identify and buy green computers, laptops, and monitors,” said James Gulliford, […]

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