Clean Vehicles Legislative Priorities for 2009
The UCS Clean Vehicles Program is working towards a cleaner, more fuel-efficient transportation system by improving the fuel economy and greenhouse gas performance of cars and trucks, supporting sustainable low-carbon fuels, and reducing emissions from diesel engines. The Clean Vehicles Program is also working at the state level to promote strong vehicle and fuel standards.
Our goal is to reduce global warming pollution from transportation
In order to meet the critical climate goal of at least an 80% reduction in greenhouse gases by 2050, significant reductions will be required from the transportation sector. Transportation in the US is responsible for nearly 40% of our global warming pollution, and requires special consideration to produce the most cost-efficient reductions. Any comprehensive federal system to reduce global warming pollution must incorporate the transportation sector under an economy-wide cap. New technologies and sector-specific standards will also be needed, so research and development for low carbon vehicle and fuel technologies should be increased and standards should be implemented.
National Priorities
Aggressive implementation of recently-enacted fuel economy standards and establishment of national greenhouse gas standards for vehicles—Americans are sending more than a billion dollars a day overseas to import oil. Burning oil in our transportation sector alone is emitting more global warming emissions than most other countries. Only by aggressively implementing Congress’ groundbreaking fuel economy provisions and establishing greenhouse gas standards for vehicles under the Clean Air Act can we guarantee that the potential consumer, energy security and pollution reduction benefits of improved vehicle fuel economy and reduced emissions will become a reality. This has the added benefit of helping to revitalize the auto industry by creating jobs and stimulating production of vehicles that will be more competitive in the marketplace.
Support the growth of a sustainable, low carbon fuels industry
Efficiency can only get us part of the way to oil independence and significant global warming pollution reductions, we will still need alternative fuels like sustainable biofuels, hydrogen, or electricity to replace oil in the long term. As we develop new fuel sources, we must ensure that they reduce carbon emissions over their complete life cycle—i.e. production, transportation, and use—and that the fuels are sustainably produced. The first step at the federal level is to ensure accurate global warming accounting in the recently enacted Renewable Fuel Standard, followed by a low carbon fuel standard that covers all transportation fuels.
Preserve state authority to protect their citizens from automobile pollution
Historically, states have protected their citizens from automobile emissions by establishing stricter emissions standards. Despite the established right of California to set stricter standards, and other states to follow them, the Bush administration, for the first time in the history of the Clean Air Act, denied the waiver required for states to implement their standards. This illegal decision must be overturned and any action to reduce automobile emissions nationally must not undermine states’ ability to protect their citizens.
Create green jobs by investing in an efficient transportation sector
Numerous opportunities exist in the transportation sector to create or maintain jobs while improving environmental performance. These range from the construction of transit, rail, and other clean transportation systems to the development of advanced vehicle technologies. Specifically in the auto sector, retooling auto plants to make more fuel efficient vehicles creates jobs, and is essential to rebuilding a domestic auto industry that can be competitive.
