Climate and energy

President Bush signed a new energy bill into law. Some folks like it, some don’t, and how it all breaks down might surprise you just a little. Energy and environment are proving to be issues that have the capacity to blur the categories of “usual suspects,” and get some folks to cross party lines. (However limited and marginal that crossing might be.)

A (probably incomplete) summary:

What the bill did:

• Increased CAFE standards (fuel efficiency standards) to 35 mpg by 2020 (a looong way off). This will raise the nation’s fuel efficiency by 40% - from where it was, though, which really wasn’t great.
• Increases biofuels production (right now, that means corn-based ethanol) to 36 billion gallons per year
• Phases out incandescent lightbulbs (which waste 90% of the electricity they use in heat rather than light) which means we will all be buying more CFLs
• increases energy efficiency standards for appliances such as refrigerators, TVs, etc.

What the bill didn’t do:

• Didn’t renew tax credits for renewable energies such as wind and solar. big uh-oh. big!
• Didn’t reduce the colossal subsidies for oil and gas
• Didn’t implement a federal Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS)

Read More

Bush signs broad energy bill, NYTimes

Energy law leaves out wind, solar tax credits, NPR

New biofuel mandate boon for corn farmers, NPR

House sends president an energy bill to sign, Wash Post