The new energy bill is 5 years behind China
December 19, 2007
Posted by CindyW in : Opinions & Thoughts , trackback
Apparently our new energy bill has just been signed into power. Hailed as a “ground breaking” landmark, it mandates that the average fuel efficiency level for all vehicles sold in the U.S. increases to 35 miles per gallon by 2020, up from 25 miles per gallon currently. There are a number of other provisions, including “no more than 15 billion gallons of biofuel can come from corn-based ethano”.
But excuse me for not breaking out my champaign flute to celebrate this “historic” moment. Let’s put things in perspective here. Mmmm, the vehicle efficiency requirement falls way behind even China. In 2005, Chinese regulations required vehicle fuel efficiency of 38 miles per gallon (mpg) for lighter cars and 19 mpg for the heavier trucks. In 2008, these standards will rise to 43 mpg and 21 mpg respectively.
That means an average American manufactured vehicle will not be allowed on any Chinese roads. Talk about long-term economic impact.
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CindyW at Organicpicks
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Comments»
This “landmark” energy bill is a travesty. Somehow our leaders still believe massive federal subsidies for traditional energy producers is more important than providing a pittance of new funding for renewable energy.
I totally agree with the comment about ethanol. I’d be all for the incentives if it were for non-corn-based ethanol. It takes approximately 1 gallon of fossil fuels to produce 1 gallon of ethanol. Then factor in the release of carbon from soil from the excess farming for corn. Unbelievable.
Yes, it is just awful! Moving from ecological disaster to ecological disaster. The ethanol problem will only increase pollution, expand the harrowing dead zone, and squeeze food supply. Will the US ever get it right? There is too much politics and not enough getting anything done.
China might have more fuel efficient vehicles but they don’t seem to care much about the emissions.
The US allows maximum sulfur concentrations of 15 ppm for most diesel fuels, while China allows 2,000 ppm, although the average sulfur in American gasoline is limited to 30 ppm whereas China allows 800 ppm, but the 10 million diesel trucks in China help cause severe air problems like just 71 days under air-quality norms (i.e. clean air) in Gangzhou per year.
http://envirostats.info/2007/12/15/0627/
I’d also like to see China enforce this among their vehicles. It doesn’t seem they care from the source story I saw.
So what’s worse? More gas or more emissions? Maybe both countries can learn a bit from each other.