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Obama's 2016 Fuel Emission Standards: Too Little, Too Late Resistance Magazine, Summer 2009 Issue On May 19, 2009 U.S. President Barack Obama announced new national fuel emission standards for the United States to become effective by the year 2016. This move by the Obama Administration represented the most significant action taken by the federal government since the late 1970s and early 1980s, when the first fuel economy standards went into effect. Under this new plan, new passenger cars sold in the U.S. will have to meet a fleet average mileage requirement of 35.5 mpg by 2016, a change from the current requirement of 27.5 mpg. Light trucks would have to obtain a fleet average of 30 mpg, in comparison with 23 mpg today. A spokesperson for the Obama Administration claimed that the new regulations would save 1.8 million barrels of oil and reduce emissions of greenhouse gasses by 900 metric tons over the lifetime of the more fuel-efficient vehicles. The mainstream news media reported that both environmental advocates and auto industry officials welcomed the new program - and for different reasons. Environmentalists reportedly applauded the standards after facing a government that has delayed any action on curbing greenhouse emissions. Industry officials were pleased with the new ruling as it provided a single national efficiency standard - rather than competing standards by different states such as California - and a reasonable timeline to meet the requirements. A win-win situation for all parties involved, right? Environmental groups are pleased because the new standards are indicative of progress being made to finally curb greenhouse emissions. Industry officials are in agreement because the new ruling doesn't require each and every vehicle to meet the specified mpg in each individual class, only that the combined fleet average meets the specifications. This allows the auto manufacturers to continue to pump out gas guzzling, high emission vehicles as long as they are simultaneously making a percentage of more efficient models as an offset. They are equally pleased because the 39 mpg for cars and 30 mpg for light trucks does not require a revolutionary change in the manner in which their businesses operate. Certainly, changes are required to meet the new standards, but they are easily manageable especially when the federal government is providing billions of dollars in aid to the industry to assist in the change. But is this enough? As it stands with the current state of the economy, the bankruptcy of General Motors, and the enormous federal aid that has been provided to failing auto companies, the Obama Administration possesses the opportunity to achieve significant change in setting auto emission standards incredibly high. If the auto industry had not been under severe economic stress and in need of the billions in economic aid, it is unlikely Obama would have been joined in support by industry officials for the new standards. This was, and still is, an opportunity to reshape the automotive industry into one that stops the destruction of the planet, not just an opportunity to refine the science of corporate greenwashing. Auto emissions are the second major cause of global warming on earth and the United States continues to be the largest contributor to the problem. The earth's temperature is rising owing to human caused greenhouse gas emissions. Polar ice caps are melting and sea levels are expected to rise between three and nine meters killing and displacing millions of people and animals around the planet. As such, the U.S. has the responsibility to significantly reduce CO2 emissions from vehicles, far beyond the 35.5 fleet average implemented by the Obama Administration. The U.S. possesses the technology today to produce vehicles that obtain over 100 mpg, that do not rely upon dangerous fossil fuels or foreign sources of energy, and that produce little to no harmful emissions. Yet, the U.S. government refuses to do so largely out of a wrongful prioritization of succumbing to financial interests of oil and automotive lobbyists, and of personal financial or political gain. Even with the new 2016 regulations in effect for U.S. auto manufactures, the U.S. still fails to take the global lead in emissions restrictions. Currently, the U.S. rates behind Europe, Japan, Australia, Canada, South Korea, and even China in both miles per gallon requirements and auto-related greenhouse gas emissions. With the new policy set by the Obama Administration for an average of 35.5 mpg for U.S. cars and light trucks, the U.S. is still behind Europe, Japan, and likely Australia and China. By 2016, European countries project an average standard for passenger vehicles at just under 50 mpg, with Japan at 48 mpg. The new regulations also do nothing to regulate the millions of existing cars and trucks on the road in the U.S. that will continue to be driven, far beyond the year 2016. These vehicles, some of which have fuel efficiency ratings of 8-12 mpg, will continue to add significant levels of greenhouse gasses to the atmosphere. While Obama campaigned on progressive promises including environmental protection, this incremental step forward will not provide enough relief of proportional greenhouse gasses to have any significance on slowing global warming. The giant, gas hog SUVs will continue to be produced by U.S. automotive manufacturers, while the large environmental, greenwashing, NGOs will claim victory. The 2016 emission standards are far from a sign of victory and are rather a further indication that the U.S. government is failing to take the environmental crisis seriously. And when the government fails to act, it is up to us to protect our home. |