Weekly Assignment 2 & 3: My article

I found three article revelant to emission standards. These articles are:

1. Obama Affirms Climate Change Goals (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/19/us/politics/19climate.html?ref=politics)

2. Obama to order review of state's emissions bid (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/01/25/MNMF15GTPU.DTL&type=politics&tsp=1)

3. Text of President Barack Obama's inaugural address (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090120/ap_on_go_pr_wh/inauguration_obama_text)

My take on this issue is as follows:

In November 2008(1), before Barack Obama became president of the United States of America, he spoke to governors and foreign officials about his intention of pursuing the target on reducing emission that cause green house effect and global warming; “Now is the time to confront this challenge once and for all….Delay is no longer an option. Denial is no longer an acceptable response (1).”

He emphasized this in his inaugural speech by stating:

“With old friends and former foes, we will work tirelessly to lessen the nuclear threat, and roll back the specter of a warming planet (3)”.

So what does this mean? During the presidential campaign Obama was quoted as wanting to reduce climate altering carbon dioxide emissions by 80 percent by 2050, and invest $150 billion in new energy-saving technologies. Some industry leaders and members of Congress criticized this climate proposal for this climate proposal would impose too great a cost on an already-stressed economy (1) .

Obama’s White House (2) is living up to the campaign promise, and is letting the States to be sovereign and also responsible for cost-implications. Obama will order the Environmental Protection Agency to allow states lead by California, to impose tough vehicle emission standards. This move will break the Bush’s administration policy regarding State’s sovereignty and environmental policy, which rejected California’s request to enforce limiting greenhouse gases from cars and trucks. Obama’s order will only require EPA to consider the States’ request, but it is expected that the request will be approved.

What may be the implications of this move?

This analysis is not to be seen a criticism or endorsement of the move. However, we must understand the implications (2).

If EPA reviews and signs the waiver decision for California and the 18 other states that would trigger the green light to address global warming pollution from motor vehicles, this will determine that the Detroit vehicle market has to change, thus required to produce the cleanest, most efficient vehicles possible. These auto industries oppose California’s rules and have lobbied Congress for a single national standard.

If California's rule is enforced, this may imply the requirement that vehicles reduce their greenhouse gases by 30 percent by 2016. The transportation sector, because it is the single biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the state, at about 38 percent of total emissions, would be the most affected. The state's rules require automakers to meet a fleetwide average of 36 miles per gallon by 2016. Obama's directive is also expected to force the Transportation Department to complete interim fuel economy standards to implement the 2007 law.