“In
his State of the Union address tonight, President Bush will offer
plenty of lofty goals on energy, but the devil is in the details. With
loopholes big enough to drive an SUV through, his plan fails to
guarantee that car makers will do their share to break our dependence
on oil, and could actually increase global warming pollution.
“While
it is heartening that the President has called for an increase in fuel
economy, he has provided no guarantee that consumers ever see the
benefits. For example, there is no guarantee that the actual miles per
gallon of the cars on the road will increase as the President has
failed to call for a specific increase in the fuel economy standard.
“President
Bush to date has failed to meaningfully raise fuel economy standards,
which is the best way to reduce our dependence on oil. Had the
President increased the fuel economy of cars and SUVs to 40 miles per
gallon by 2012 when he took office in 2001– which the National Academy
of Sciences says is possible over the next 10 years – we would have
consumed 500,000 barrels of oil less per day in 2006, and saved $8.7
billion at the pump.
“Perhaps
the dirtiest detail is the President’s plan to change the Renewable
Fuels Standard to an Alternative Fuel Standard. This a small change in
name that could mean a big change in pollution. Alternatives fuels
could include “coal to liquids” that create double the global warming
pollution of traditional gasoline.
“The United States
can reduce global warming pollution using energy efficiency and
renewable energy and in so doing also break our reliance on fossil
fuels, enhance our long-term economic and national security, and once
again lead the world as a positive force for change.
“We
welcome the Presidents goal of a new energy future, but it is time for
real solutions, not just more loopholes and empty rhetoric.”
- Matthew Garrington, Field Director, Environment Colorado
