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From: Allison.Forbes@sierraclub.org [mailto:Allison.Forbes@sierraclub.org] Sent: Friday, November 16, 2007 6:03 PM To: Allison.Forbes@sierraclub.org Subject: [energy activists] VICTORY in 9th circuit court! Act Now!
Fuel economy victory! Court cites failure to address costs of global warming...
On November 15, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals remanded the Bush Administration's new light truck fuel economy standards. The Administration's new standards for SUVs, minivans and pickups would increase fuel economy a meager 1.3 mpg from 2007 to model year 2010. The court ordered the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) back to the drawing board to close a loophole for SUVs as well as to account for the benefits of reducing greenhouse gas pollution in its cost-benefit analyses of new standards - factors that should lead to higher standards!
This decision comes at a time when Congress is considering raising fuel economy standards for cars and light trucks to 35 mpg by 2020, an increase which would save 1.2 million barrels of oil per day in 2020. This court decision should impel Congress to fulfill its role in setting fuel economy standards, reducing global warming pollution and our oil dependence.
We can't rely on the Bush administration to set meaningful increases in fuel economy. This is why it is imperative that Congress pass final energy legislation to raise fuel economy standards, as well as establish a renewable electricity standard, before the end of the year.
Please respond to this news by writing a Letter to the Editor (LTE) and sending to your local and state newspapers.
Talking points * On November 15, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals found that the Bush Administration had failed to consider the benefits of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in setting fuel economy standards for light trucks. * We cannot afford the costs of failing to act on global warming and consumers deserve vehicles that go farther on a gallon of gas. * Congress has an opportunity to make real progress in reducing global warming pollution and our oil dependence by passing final energy legislation this year that will set us on the path to getting 35 mpg in 2020. * Rep _______ /Senators ________ and ____________ should help pass final energy legislation NOW to raise fuel economy standards and establish a national renewable electricity standard.
SUV loophole talking points * Light trucks contribute eight percent of U.S. global warming emissions and constitute over half of our passenger vehicle fleet. * Many light trucks, or SUVs, are intended as passenger vehicles and should be required to meet fuel economy standards that reflect their use. * The Ninth Circuit Court ordered the Administration to close the "SUV loophole," which increases global warming pollution and oil dependence.
Sample LTE [As reported in the article, "XXXXX,"] the Ninth Circuit court found the Administration failed in its responsibility to set fuel economy standards that reflect the urgency of reducing global warming pollution. It also found that light trucks and SUVs used as passenger vehicles should be required to meet standards that reflect their use. The technology is available to make all cars and trucks to go farther on a gallon of gas and we all would like to save money at the gas pump while reducing global warming pollution.
Congress has an opportunity to make real progress in reducing global warming pollution and our oil dependence by bringing final energy legislation across the finish line this year. The House and Senate have each passed crucial energy provisions, including a gradual increase in fuel economy standards to 35 mpg by 2020. We cannot afford the costs of failing to act.
Rep. ___________ can help flip the switch on our clean energy future by supporting a national renewable electricity standard of 15 percent by 2020, higher fuel economy standards and energy efficiency standards
Sample LTE [As reported in the article, "XXXXX,"] the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals determined that the Administration must consider the tremendous benefits of reducing greenhouse gas pollution in its fuel economy proposal for light trucks. Congress should do the same.
We cannot afford the costs of failing to act on global warming. While NHTSA goes back to the drawing board to revise its light truck ruling, Congress needs to move forward to get the energy bill across the finish line so that we can begin to see real improvements in fuel economy.
Last summer, the Senate voted to raise fuel economy standards for cars and light trucks to a modest 35 mpg by 2020, and the House required electric utilities to produce a percentage of the energy from renewable sources. Rep. ___________ should help pass final legislation before the end of the year.
Articles USA Today www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2007-11-15-court-fuel_N.htm ABC News http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=capitol_reports&id=5764610 Detroit Free Press http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/M/MI_FUEL_ECONOMY_MIOL-?SITE=MIDTF& SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT San Jose Mercury News www.mercurynews.com/ci_7479269?nclick_check=1 Columbus Dispatch www.dispatch.com/live/content/national_world/stories/2007/11/16/Fuel_sta ndards_1116.ART_ART_11-16-07_A1_TH8G73O.html?sid=101 Washington Post www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/15/AR2007111502633 .html?nav=rss_email/components
Did your state or local newspapers print the story? If they did, respond with an LTE calling on Congress to act now! If they didn't, write a letter anyway! You can find more sample LTEs at www.sierraclub.org/flip/do
Sierra Club press release (attached)
Allison Forbes National Conservation Organizer Sierra Club Global Warming and Energy Program (202) 548-6583