And now:Ish <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: Activist Mailing List - http://get.to/activist Two items here: 1) Philly Inquirer global warming, SUV's, Senate letter 2) SENATE APPROPRIATORS CUT FUNDING FOR CLEAN RENEWABLE ENERGY BY 22%!!! Date: Tue, 8 Jun 1999 11:30:55 -0800 Hi folks, Below is a fantastic Philadelphia Inquirer editorial on the Feinstein, Gorton, Bryan letter, miles per gallon standards, and global warming. Good stuff! Steve Pedery Sierra Club Global Warming Campaign [EMAIL PROTECTED] Raise the standards It's time to up the ante on fuel efficiency. Kudos to the Ford Motor Co. for deciding that all its large pickup trucks will meet current federal air pollution standards four years early. That means more than 800,000 of Ford's trucks, including the popular F-series, will meet low-emission standards in the 2000 model year, which rolls out this fall. As of yet the other major vehicle makers have not followed suit. They should. But Ford only gets one-and-a-half cheers. U.S. manufacturers, including Ford, are sidestepping the equally important issues of fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing what federal law considers polluting emissions involves cutting such gases as nitrogen oxide and tiny particulants. It does not apply to the production of carbon dioxide - which many scientists fear is warming the earth. The only way to reduce carbon dioxide is to burn less fuel. The only way to do that is sell smaller vehicles, or make larger vehicles lighter, while making their engines and drive-trains more efficient. Since fuel is cheap, and many don't care if that new SUV or pickup gets as little as 14 miles a gallon, the pressure for efficiency won't come directly from consumers. And since the car companies aren't about to stop making these popular gas-guzzlers, the government should raise mandatory fuel economy standards for them. Now, the average car has to get 27.5 miles per gallon, while your average light truck and SUV only a modest 20.7. Last week, 31 U.S. senators sent President Clinton a letter calling for just that. The auto industry shouldn't simply shout no, as it did back in the 1970s when fuel economy standards were first proposed - and then met. Or as it did for years with air bags. Those smart Detroit engineers should be able to reduce the weight of pickups and SUVs and improve their efficiency. That will result in better mileage and less greenhouse gas. And, just as with fuel economy and air bags, it will be a marketing opportunity. Automakers often end up selling hard to the public the very improvements they have to be dragged into making. Would these changes add to sticker price? Sure - but most estimates are that it would be less than $500 per vehicle. So let's be real. Buyers are evidently willing to spend $25,000, $35,000 or more on those vehicles - which as of last year accounted for nearly 50 percent of all family vehicles sold in America. Back in 1990, their market share was only 33 percent. The car companies make profits of $5,000 or $10,000 a sale. The additional cost of greening these road warriors a little is modest - and will yield fuel savings over time. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 4 Jun 1999 16:05:10 -0800 SENATE APPROPRIATORS CUT FUNDING FOR CLEAN RENEWABLE ENERGY BY 22%!!! THE ISSUES: Greater use of clean, renewable power from sources like the wind and the sun will be a critical element of any solution to global warming. President Clinton took a positive step in recognize this in his proposed year 2000 federal budget, which would substantial increase funding for renewable energy programs. Unfortunately, despite strong public support for clean energy programs, members of the Senate Appropriations Committee proceeded last week to cut the Administration's request by 22% for fiscal year 2000. This would not only eliminate any increase in renewable energy spending -- it would cut funding 10% below current levels! These deep cuts endanger the future of renewable energy programs and jeopardize years of hard work to make renewable energy funding a priority. As the funding bill moves toward a vote by the full Senate, Senator Jeffords (R-VT) and Senator Roth (R-DE) are prepared to offer an amendment that will increase funding for renewable energy for fiscal year 2000. It is vital that Senators around the country hear from citizens on this issue. We need more funding for clean energy programs, not less! TAKE ACTION: Call, fax, write, or email your two Senators today and: 1) Tell them you strongly oppose the deep cuts in renewable energy funding in the Senate Energy and Water Appropriations bill; and Urge them to show their support for clean energy by voting for the Jeffords - Roth amendment to increase funding for renewable energy research and development in the FY2000 Energy & Water Development Appropriations bill. ADDITIONAL POINTS TO INCLUDE: Renewable energy is a rapidly growing part of our economy through technological advances, domestic job creation and export markets. We currently lead the world in energy technologies and do not want to give that market away. Development of renewable energy sources will reduce US dependence on imported oil (we are currently more than 50% dependent, much more than during the "oil crisis" of the 1970's.) Electricity generation is our nation's largest source of air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions linked to global warming. Strong funding will enable the Department of Energy's Renewable Energy program to continue playing a vital role in reducing these emissions through technological innovations and voluntary actions. While renewable energy technologies have become increasingly economical, the pace of their penetration into the market will be determined largely by government support for future research and development as well as by assistance in catalyzing public-private partnerships, leading to full commercialization. URGENCY: The Senate is expected to vote on the funding bill as early as June 7 when the Senate returns from the Memorial Day recess, so please respond to this alert as quickly as possible. CONTACT INFORMATION: You can reach your senators' offices by dialing the US Capitol Switchboard: (202) 224-3121. Letters to senators can be mailed to: The Honorable [Your Senator] United States Senate Washington, DC 20510 For direct dialing and mailing information, fax numbers and email addresses see the US Senate web page: http://www.senate.gov/contacting/index.cfm ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------- NOTICE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this information for research and educational purposes. ----------------------- Andy Caffrey Director, Climate Action NOW! P.O. Box 324 Redway, CA 95560 [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.imaja.com/change/environment/can/can.html Reprinted under the fair use http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.html doctrine of international copyright law. &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& Tsonkwadiyonrat (We are ONE Spirit) Unenh onhwa' Awayaton http://www.tdi.net/ishgooda/ &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
