| | Energy in August: Finalizing Historic Fuel Economy Standards
Vice President Barack Obama looks under the hood of a hybrid car during a tour of the General Auto Lab at Northern Virginia Community College in Alexandria, VA. June 8, 2011. (by Chuck Kennedy) On August 28, The Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Transportation finalized groundbreaking standards that will increase fuel economy to the equivalent of 54.5 mpg for cars and light-duty trucks by 2025. When combined with previous standards set by this Administration, this action will nearly double the fuel efficiency of those vehicles compared to new vehicles currently on our roads. “These fuel standards represent the single most important step we’ve ever taken to reduce our dependence on foreign oil,” said President Obama. “It’ll strengthen our nation's energy security, it's good for middle class families and it will help create an economy built to last.” The Administration’s program to improve fuel economy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions will save consumers more than $1.7 trillion at the gas pump and reduce U.S. oil consumption by 12 billion barrels.
This represents just a snapshot of the Administration’s efforts to promote American-made energy. For more information, check out the highlights below:
Events
Historic Fuel Efficiency Standards for Cars and Light Trucks
The Obama Administration has finalized new national standards for fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions for passenger cars built in years 2017 to 2025. Simply put, this groundbreaking program will result in vehicles that use less gas, travel farther, and provide more efficiency for consumers than ever before—all while maintaining safety, protecting the air we breathe, and laying the groundwork for automakers to create jobs, develop advanced technologies, and improve quality of life for America's families.
Executive Order Accelerates Investment in Industrial Energy Efficiency
The President signed an Executive Order on August 30 to facilitate investments in industrial energy efficiency that will strengthen American manufacturing and create jobs. These efforts to boost industrial energy efficiency, including combined heat and power systems, can save manufacturers as much as $100 billion in energy costs over the next decade, improving their bottom lines and strengthening U.S. manufacturing competitiveness. These types of efficiency measures will reduce energy consumption and reduce harmful emissions.
We Can’t Wait: President Obama Announces New Public-Private Partnership to Support Manufacturing Innovation
Following through on our We Can’t Wait efforts, the Administration announced on August 16 the launch of a new public-private institute for manufacturing innovation in Youngstown, Ohio as part of its ongoing efforts to help revitalize American manufacturing. This new partnership, the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute, was selected through a competitive process, led by the Department of Defense, to award an initial $30 million in federal funding, matched by $40 million from stakeholders including manufacturing firms, universities, community colleges, and non-profit organizations from the Ohio-Pennsylvania-West Virginia ‘Tech Belt.’
News
Energy Report: U.S. Wind Energy Production and Manufacturing Surges, Supporting Jobs and Diversifying U.S. Energy Economy
The Energy Department released a new report August 14 highlighting strong growth in the U.S. wind energy industry last year and underscoring the importance of continued policy support and clean energy tax credits to ensure that the manufacturing and jobs associated with this booming global industry remain in America. According to the report, the United States remained one of the world’s largest and fastest growing wind markets in 2011, with wind power representing a remarkable 32 percent of all new electric capacity additions in the United States last year and accounting for $14 billion in new investment. The report also states that the percentage of wind equipment made in America increased dramatically.
Energy Department Investments to Develop Lighter, Stronger Materials for Greater Vehicle Fuel Economy
U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced on August 13 seven new projects to accelerate the development and deployment of stronger and lighter materials for the next generation of American-made cars and trucks. These projects include the development and validation of modeling tools to deliver higher performing carbon fiber composites and advanced steels, as well as research into new lightweight, high-strength alloys for energy-efficient vehicle and truck engines. These investments build on the Obama Administration’s historic fuel economy standards that are already helping drivers save money at the pump.
California Better Buildings Challenge Partners Showcase Energy Savings Projects with U.S. Energy Department Officials
The Energy Department this month joined with three of the nation's energy efficiency leaders to showcase three new commercial energy efficiency projects in California. The three companies have committed to reducing the energy used across their building portfolio 20% by 2020 as part of President Obama's Better Buildings Challenge. The Better Buildings Challenge improves the competitiveness of American industry by providing tools for increasing energy efficiency to building owners such as CEOs, university presidents, and state and local leaders.
To learn more about the President’s vision for a more secure energy future, please visit WhiteHouse.gov/energy.
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