January 7, 2008

For the second time in three years, Congress has passed a comprehensive energy measure that the president has signed into law. The overarching aim is to reduce America's dependence on foreign oil. While the bill had bi-partisan support, it has still been criticized by both the right and left as harmful to the economy and giving short shrift to green fuel sources, respectively.

With the blessing of automakers, the new law will increase the minimum fuel-efficiency for passenger vehicles for the first time in 32 years from an average of 25-miles per gallon now to 35-miles per gallon in 2020. That, in turn, could help trim this country's use of foreign oil supplies by 1.1 million per barrels a day that equates to more than half of the oil exported by Kuwait and Venezuela.

12/13/2007 -- The Senate passed energy legislation that would boost fuel efficiency standards for cars and light trucks to 35 miles per gallon by 2020. The measure includes provisions by Senator Bernie Sanders to promote energy efficiency and to train workers for green-collar jobs. “Given the crisis we’re facing in global warming, the passage of this energy bill is an important step forward,” Sanders said. “Much more has to be done in the future, but raising fuel efficiency standards and helping states, cities and towns go forward with energy efficiency and sustainable energy projects will reduce carbon emissions, lower energy costs and create good paying jobs.”

By a one-vote margin, the Senate on Thursday defeated a measure that would have stripped billions of dollars in tax subsidies from oil and gas companies and devoted the money to new renewable sources such as solar and wind. The vote for the provision was 59 to 40, still one vote shy of the 60 needed to end debate and move the bill forward.

Governor says addressing environmental challenges can provide economic opportunity
Nov, 14 2007

LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today took a number of actions designed to both mitigate the impact of global climate change in Michigan and capitalize on the economic opportunity that addressing those changes will present for the state.

By executive order, Granholm created a Michigan Climate Action Council to develop a comprehensive climate action plan for the state.  The plan will provide recommendations for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Michigan and will build upon previous measures to reduce the state's reliance on energy sources from outside its borders.  By executive directive, the governor also directed her administration to do all it can to reduce its own energy consumption.  In addition, Granholm announced that she will join governors from other Midwestern states tomorrow to adopt a regional platform for energy security and climate stewardship.

"Citizens across the country are grappling with the impact of global warming, the nation's reliance on foreign oil, the rising costs of fuel, and the impact those things have on both our environment and our economy," said Granholm.  "Working to reduce global warming can both put people to work and protect our environment."