Republican leadership blocks clean energy
Administration undercuts gas mileage standards
As prices at the pump hit previously unimaginable highs this summer, Environment America championed policies that would reduce America’s dependence on oil and chart a course for a cleaner, smarter energy future. But President Bush dragged his feet on new mileage standards and pushed for offshore drilling as Republican leadership in the Senate blocked efforts to renew programs that encourage investment in clean, renewable energy.
Investing in clean energy
In 2005, Congress created energy production and solar investment tax credits that provide tax incentives for large-scale renewable energy producers. These credits have proven to be one of the most significant and effective investments the federal government has made in clean energy. Unfortunately the programs will expire at the end of this year, and as of the August recess, Senate Republican leadership had blocked four attempts to renew the credits
This summer, we worked to make sure that Congress heard from Americans who support critical incentives for renewable energy and efficiency. We went door-to-door to identify public support for the programs, worked with clean energy businesses and published new research, including a May report on our nation’s solar thermal potential. As Congress nears the election-season recess, we’ll continue our work to renew support for the programs.
Gas mileage standards
In December 2007, Congress passed Environment America-backed increases in the gas mileage standard. The law requires the Bush administration’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to set “the highest gas mileage standard technologically and economically feasible.” In June of this year, NHTSA Administrator Nicole Nason proposed the slowest and lowest standard allowed under the law—35 mpg by 2020.
“Administrator Nason’s agency calculated a gas mileage standard based on the fanciful notion that gas costs $2.32 a gallon and Americans aren’t concerned about our dependence on oil!” said Energy Program Director Rob Sargent.
Environment America called on NHTSA to conduct public hearings to listen to citizens’ concern about dependence on oil, global warming and the high price at the pump. In June, we ran an ad on activist Web sites and delivered thousands of public comments from our e-mail activists on the proposal to NHTSA.
Mars Hill, Maine. The burgeoning wind energy industry could lose thousands of jobs if Congress allows renewable energy incentives to expire at the end of this year.
