EDITORIAL: YES TO NEW ENERGY (C.A.F.E., R.E.S.)

A call for bringing the US up to the standards of the world's responsible nations, from an editorial board that is rarely accused of being a wild-eyed bunch of lefties.

Rev up America’s energy future; The U.S. badly needs a 21st-century energy policy. But can Washington get its act together to provide one?
Editorial, August 10, 2007 (Christian Science Monitor)

WHO
Christian Science Monitor editorial board

WHAT
The Monitor, considered one of the finest of US dailies, advocates in this editorial for passage, in the upcoming House –Senate conference process, of energy bill provisions strengthening vehicle fuel efficiency requirements (Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency, CAFÉ, standards) and requiring all US commercial utilities to obtain 15% of the electricity they provide from renewable sources by 2020 (Renewable Electricity Standard, RES, a.k.a. Renewable Portfolio Standard, RPS).

It probably is feasible to bring our CAFE standards up to 21st century levels -- by the time the century is 20 years old! (click to enlarge)

WHEN
The Senate bill was passed in June and the House bill was passed in July. The House-Senate conference process is expected when Congress comes back from its August recess.

WHERE
Standards advocated are national. The fight will be in the back rooms of Congress where the deals are cut.

WHY
- CAFÉ standard: new cars and light trucks must get to 35 mpg by 2020.
- RES: 15% of electricity from renewables by 2020.
- The CAFÉ standard was passed by the Senate but not considered by the House. The RES was passed by the House but rejected by the Senate. Both measures face opposition from conservative Republicans. Democrats from auto industry states oppose CAFÉ standards. Democrats from fossil fuel states oppose the RES.
- President Bush has threatened to veto an energy bill with these provisions and the Democrats leading the work on the legislation do not appear to have a veto-proof 2/3 majority.

Think how much renewable energy would be produced and how much emissions would be reduced with a national standard! (click to enlarge)

QUOTES
- “Right now, the United States ranks last among major industrialized countries in vehicle fuel efficiency, according to a new report from the International Council on Clean Transportation. While the new standard would still be far below those in Europe and Japan, it would at least bring the US in line with what countries such as China, Canada, and Australia will achieve in the next few years… There's no reason to think that with a 12-year lead time they can't do that here, too.”
- “The [RES] would prod utilities toward vitally needed investment in new technologies and fuel sources.”
- “Both the president and congressional Democrats will try to position themselves as the voice of the reasonable middle ground. But if they can't agree, the critical need to address America's energy future will be left to languish again.”