Central Perk: We Can’t Wait: Historic Fuel Standards and More Efficient Buildings

marți, 6 decembrie 2011

We Can’t Wait: Historic Fuel Standards and More Efficient Buildings

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

We Can’t Wait: Historic Fuel Standards and More Efficient Buildings

We can’t wait on Congress to act – and so this month the Administration has continued to move forward and create a more secure energy future for America.

Last Friday, President Obama joined former President Clinton to announce a $4 billion, joint private and public sector effort to improve the energy efficiency of 1.6 billion square feet of commercial and industrial property – an extension of the Better Buildings Initiative and another investment in clean energy. As the President said, “making our buildings more energy efficient is one of the fastest, easiest and cheapest ways for us to create jobs, save money, and cut down on harmful pollution. It is a trifecta.”

In addition, to build upon the success of landmark national fuel standards, the Administration also proposed a second phase of historic fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas standards for model year 2017-2025 cars and trucks. As consumers pocket increased savings at the pump and we reduce our nation’s dependence on oil, the President continues to deliver on his commitment to building a 21st century clean energy economy.

These actions represent just a snapshot of the Administration’s efforts to promote clean energy. For more information on events and announcements, check out the November highlights below.

Highlights

We Can't Wait: President Obama Announces Nearly $4 Billion Investment in Energy Upgrades to Public and Private Buildings
The President, alongside former President Clinton, announced nearly $4 billion in combined federal and private sector energy upgrades over the next two years as part of the Better Buildings Initiative.

We Can’t Wait: Obama Administration Proposes Historic Fuel Economy Standards
Building on President Obama’s historic national program, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) formally unveiled their joint proposal to set stronger fuel economy and greenhouse gas pollution standards for model year 2017-2025 passenger cars and light trucks. When combined with other historic steps this Administration has taken to increase energy efficiency, this proposal will save Americans over $1.7 trillion at the pump, over $8,000 per vehicle by 2025. Taken together, these actions will also slash 6 billion metric tons in greenhouse gas emissions over the life of the programs.

We Can't Wait: Navy and USDA Announce Largest Ever Government Purchase of Biofuel
U.S. Navy Secretary Ray Mabus and Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) signed a contract to purchase 450,000 gallons of advanced drop-in biofuel, the single largest purchase of biofuels in government history.

EPA Proposes Changes to Clean Air Act Standards for Boilers
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced proposed changes that achieve extensive public health protections through significant reductions in toxic air pollutants, including mercury and soot, while increasing the rule’s flexibility and addressing compliance concerns. These standards will avoid up to 8,100 premature deaths, prevent 5,100 heart attacks and avert 52,000 asthma attacks per year in 2015. As a result, EPA estimates that for every dollar spent to cut these pollutants, the public will see $12 to $30 in health benefits.

Clean Air and Electricity Delivery
We can have clean air and reliable electricity at the same time. That’s the clear conclusion from a new report by the Department of Energy (DOE) released earlier this month. This confirms what the United States has always experienced in the 40 year history of the Clean Air Act – namely, the ability to safeguard public health without compromising the ability to keep the lights on in communities across the country.

Task Force Releases Final Strategy for Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration
Continuing the ongoing commitment to the Gulf coast, the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Force released its final strategy for long term ecosystem restoration following extensive feedback from citizens throughout the region. With the release of the final strategy, the Task Force marks the beginning of the implementation phase of the strategy by announcing new initiatives, including $50 million in assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service to help agricultural producers in seven Gulf Coast river basins improve water quality, increase water conservation and enhance wildlife habitat.

Significant Leasing Reform will Spur Commercial, Residential and Renewable Energy Development on Indian Lands
The Obama administration announced new rules that make home building easier, and pave the way for solar and wind energy projects, for Indian Country.

2012 Annual Fuel Economy Guide
The Department of Energy (DOE) in association with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the 2012 Annual Fuel Economy Guide, providing consumers with information that can help them choose a more efficient new vehicle that saves them money and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

Get Updates

To learn more about the President’s vision for a more secure energy future, please visit WhiteHouse.gov/energy.

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