Spring 2009
Perspective
A Fresh Start on Our Issues
Curbing heat-trapping pollution from our nation's cars and trucks has long been a critical component of our efforts to tackle global warming. In recent years, we played a major role in California's landmark law to curb carbon dioxide from cars and trucks (and the decisions of more than a dozen other states to follow suit). We also championed the 35 miles per gallon (mpg) fuel economy standard passed by Congress in 2007. Unfortunately, the Bush administration quickly moved to block progress on both fronts.
This past January, however, less than one week after President Obama's inauguration, I had the privilege of being invited to the White House to hear him announce two new executive orders that ended the stalling on fuel economy and carbon emissions. (See the Newsroom to learn how these two initiatives will move forward.) This exciting announcement signaled a shift in the federal government's attitude toward not only vehicle and climate policy, but also the role of science in policy making. We have been working to return science to its rightful place in the policy arena for the last six years, and the Obama administration has solicited our recommendations for how to go about it.
The fact that the president has already chosen to emphasize global warming and clean energy is a testament to the efforts of UCS and our allies. But there is still a lot to be done to translate these executive orders into strong policies and real results. For example, our analysis has found that we can do far better than the 35 mpg standard minimum mandated by Congress; we will therefore be working with the Department of Transportation to set standards that exceed 35 mpg, and close loopholes that have allowed automakers to fall short of federal standards in the past.
UCS will also push Congress to stop stalling on other important policies that can help reduce the environmental and economic problems associated with our dependence on fossil fuels. By passing a nationwide cap on global warming emissions and a national renewable electricity standard (which would require a specific percentage of power be generated from renewable resources), for example, Congress can build on the momentum of the president's welcome executive orders and accelerate America's progress toward a cleaner energy future.
–Kevin Knobloch, president
