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Court Orders New Fuel Economy Standards

Yesterday the Ninth Court of Appeals in San Francisco voided fuel economy standards set in 2006 for light trucks, ordering the federal highway commission to create new fuel economy standards for upcoming models that take into account the environmental effects of vehicle emissions. The appellate court also ruled that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) must close a loophole that allows SUVs and other light trucks to meet lower fuel efficiency standards than cars, which are roughly the same weight. In addition, the NHTSA will be required to set fuel efficiency standards for large pickup trucks, which have been exempt from rules thus far. The ruling is the latest legal setback for the auto industry and adds a new angle to the debate over Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) currently being waged in congress. The most ambitious proposal is to boost fuel efficiency standards to 35 mpg for all vehicles by 2020. The 2006 standards set by the NHTSA, which prompted the lawsuit by 11 states and several environmental groups, required light trucks to get 24 miles per gallon by 2011, an increase of less than 2 mpg over 2007 models. The standard for sedans, compacts and wagons, remained […]

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Poll: Conservative Voters Want Renewable Energy

Rumors coming from Capitol Hill over the last week have suggested Democratic Congressional leaders may appease their conservative colleagues by approving an energy bill with no renewable energy standard and no tax incentives for solar, wind and other clean energy technologies. But a new poll suggests conservative representatives might not see eye to eye with their constituencies. A poll of potential 2008 voters by Zogby International found that Americans across the political spectrum support a new national standard for renewable electricity like those already in place in more than 20 states.  The poll, commissioned by the American Wind Energy Association, documents growing support for renewable energy and growing concern about energy independence as top domestic priorities for potential 2008 voters.   Highlights of the survey include:   93% of conservatives agreed that energy independence “should be the government’s top priority.”   77% of Republicans, 86% of Southerners, 83% of those in military families, 77% of self-identified conservatives, 81% of rural voters, 85% of independent voters and 92% of Democrats agreed that the federal government should follow the lead of a number of states that now require at least some of their electricity come from renewable sources such as wind and […]

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Green 'Car' of the Year

Hybrid technology appears to have reached a plateau, as it awaits better batteries engineers say could stretch fuel efficiency even farther. How else do you explain the massive eight-passenger Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid winning the “Green Car of the Year Award” yesterday at the Los Angeles Auto Show. For starters, it isn’t even a car. It’s a full-size SUV, which means now it’s possible to have “green cred,” while tooling around town at 21 miles per gallon. That’s right, 21. That might seem like a huge improvement to anyone who has ever taken the standard Chevy Tahoe on a road trip, but owners of true hybrid “cars” would rush their vehicles to the dealership if they suddenly dropped to only 21 mpg. But I guess “green” is a relative color. The Tahoe Hybrid does offer a 30% increase in fuel efficiency, according to General Motors. And while the presence of night-show host Jay Leno on the judges panel weakened its credibility a bit, other members reportedly included “representatives of four environmental groups,” and the award was presented by Green Car Journal, a California-based trade magazine. Governor Schwarzenegger praised carmakers at the show saying, “They’ve proven that they can make beautiful cars, […]

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Court Orders New Fuel Economy Standards

Yesterday the Ninth Court of Appeals in San Francisco voided fuel economy standards set in 2006 for light trucks, ordering the federal highway commission to create new fuel economy standards for upcoming models that take into account the environmental effects of vehicle emissions. The appellate court also ruled that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) must close a loophole that allows SUVs and other light trucks to meet lower fuel efficiency standards than cars, which are roughly the same weight. In addition, the NHTSA will be required to set fuel efficiency standards for large pickup trucks, which have been exempt from rules thus far. The ruling is the latest legal setback for the auto industry and adds a new piece to the debate over Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) currently being waged in congress. The most ambitious proposal is to boost fuel efficiency standards to 35 mpg for all vehicles by 2020. The 2006 standards set by the NHTSA, which prompted the lawsuit by 11 states and several environmental groups, required light trucks to get 24 miles per gallon by 2011, an increase of less than 2 mpg over 2007 models. The standard for sedans, compacts and wagons, remained […]

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Poll: Conservative Voters Want Renewable Energy

Rumors coming from Capitol Hill over the last week have suggested Democratic Congressional leaders may appease their conservative colleagues by approving an energy bill with no renewable energy standard and no tax incentives for solar, wind and other clean energy technologies. But a new poll suggests conservative representatives might not see eye to eye with their constituencies. A poll of potential 2008 voters by Zogby International found that Americans across the political spectrum support a new national standard for renewable electricity like those already in place in more than 20 states.  The poll, commissioned by the American Wind Energy Association, documents growing support for renewable energy and growing concern about energy independence as top domestic priorities for potential 2008 voters.   Highlights of the survey include:   93% of conservatives agreed that energy independence “should be the government’s top priority.”   77% of Republicans, 86% of Southerners, 83% of those in military families, 77% of self-identified conservatives, 81% of rural voters, 85% of independent voters and 92% of Democrats agreed that the federal government should follow the lead of a number of states that now require at least some of their electricity come from renewable sources such as wind and […]

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Solar Bug Car

URL: http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/1115/p01s10-ussc.html Website: http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/1115/p01s10-ussc.html     

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Rhodia to Construct Silica Plant in China

Rhodia (Paris:RHA) says it intends to construct a new plant in China for the production of high performance silica. The new facility will be located in the city of Qingdao where Rhodia already operates one silica plant. The new plant will focus on producing high performance silica used in low rolling resistance tires capable of boosting vehicle fuel savings by more than 5%. The company says it will use a modular design to build the plant that will enable it to be easily expanded if needed. Rhodia already operates seven silica plants around the world in France, Italy, Venezuela, Brazil, Korea, China and the USA. “This investment will allow Rhodia to respond to rapidly growing demand in the Asian region,” said Jean-Pierre Clamadieu, CEO of Rhodia, adding “this move fits perfectly within our strategy to develop businesses in which we have a strong and sustainable leadership position and prioritize investment in China.” Rhodia is an international chemical company committed to sustainable development. Structured around seven Enterprises, Rhodia is the partner of companies in the automotive, tire, electronics, perfume, health and beauty and home care markets. The Group employs around 16,000 people worldwide and generated sales of ¬4.8 billion in 2006. […]

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