Category Archives: environment

EPA, DOT and California Want Higher Light Vehicle Fuel Economy Rules in Place by September. Jobs Are at Stake

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the state of California today announced a timeframe for proposing what will no doubt be increased fuel economy and lower greenhouse gas standards for model year 2017-2025 cars and light-duty trucks. Continue reading

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Toyota Reveals Prius extended Family of Vehicles at the NAIAS

Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. unveiled a Prius family of vehicles today in Detroit, as part of its strategy of introducing 11 new hybrid models to its global lineup in the next 23 months. Continue reading

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Ford Shows 2012 Focus Electric Vehicle at Consumer Electronics Show. 2012 Debut for Magna Conversion

Ford Motor Company unveiled in Las Vegas today its conversion of the Focus compact car to an electric vehicle. It was the first time a major automaker unveiled a new car at the Consumer Electronics Show. Ford claimed the Focus … Continue reading

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General Motors Licenses Argonne Developed Battery Technology. Taxpayers Are Also Subsidizing the Koreans!

General Motors and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory said today they have reached a worldwide licensing agreement to use a battery technology that lasts longer and can accept higher charging voltages. The U.S. Government also announced that … Continue reading

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Oil Refiners Sue Environmental Protection Agency to Stop E15 Ethanol Fuel Sales. Attack on EPA Broadens.

The National Petrochemical & Refiners Association filed suit on Monday, asking the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to review and overturn an Environmental Protection Agency decision last fall to allow the sale of E15 fuel in cars and light trucks.

Organizations joining NPRA against EPA are the International Liquid Terminals Association and the Western States Petroleum Association. The suits contend EPA violated the Clean Air Act and the Administrative Procedure Act. Continue reading

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Significant Auto Industry Stories of 2010

As 2010 dwindles it’s time to reflect on the significant automotive stories of the year from a perspective that attempts to ignore the daily hysteria of the “gotcha” playing media. The longer term effects and significance of the following stories … Continue reading

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EPA Moves Ahead on Greenhouse Gas Standards

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today issued a plan for establishing greenhouse gas (GHG) pollution standards for refineries and power plants, in what appear to be victories for small businesses, farms and environmental moderates. It also signals the Obama Administration’s … Continue reading

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EPA Fines DuPont $3.3 Million for TSCA Violations

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced that DuPont has agreed to pay a penalty of $3.3 million to resolve 57 Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) violations. DuPont failed to immediately notify EPA of research indicating “substantial risk” found … Continue reading

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U.S. Navy Accepts GM Equinox Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle

The U.S. Navy is among the first customers to take delivery of a Chevrolet Equinox  hydrogen fuel cell vehicle as part of the Hawaii Hydrogen Initiative, GM said today. The Hawaii Hydrogen Initiative, subsidized by federal taxpayers, will try to promote hydrogen … Continue reading

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BP Oil Spill Spawns Chevrolet Volt Plastic Parts

General Motors announced this morning that it has a process to convert the boom material used to soak up spewing oil in the Gulf of Mexico from the BP Oil spill disaster into plastic parts for its Chevrolet vehicles. The ongoing project is expected to create enough parts to supply the first year of production of the Chevrolet Volt hybrid vehicle that has just gone on sale. Continue reading

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Fuel Economy Regulations Risk Huge Job Losses, While Increasing Environmental Damage, CAR Study Predicts

This comes as the U.S. national unemployment rate hovers at an official 9.8%, which is an understated number since it doesn’t include under-employed, forced retirees or beaten down job seekers who are the victims of Republican ‘socialism and tax cuts for the rich’ policies.  Continue reading

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Hybrid Vehicle Sales Slump! EV Demand Overhyped?

Data continue to show that widely publicized green vehicles, notably hybrid vehicles whose sales are in a slump, and electric vehicles just now starting sales are losing popularity among potential buyers. The latest evidence of a hybrid sales slump comes from CNW Research in a report that suggests consumers are increasingly less willing to spend additional money for a hybrid than a conventional gasoline car or truck of the same size and use. Continue reading

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Hawaii Hydrogen Initiative Moves Forward

Ten companies, agencies and universities have joined The Gas Company (TGC), and General Motors to make hydrogen-powered vehicles and a fueling infrastructure a reality in Hawaii by 2015. Taxpayers are subsidizing the program. Continue reading

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Baucus Proposes Continuing Billions in Ethanol Subsidies

Senator Max Baucus, D-Montana, chairman of the Finance Committee has proposed draft legislation that would continue lavish taxpayer financed ethanol subsidies instead of letting then expire at the end of this year. Continue reading

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Toyota Recalls 650,000 2004-2007 Prius Hybrids

Toyota’s Japanese executives have decided to recall 378,000 Prius vehicles in the United States from model years 2004-2007 to fix a defective water pump. The U.S. service action is part of a much larger global recall, which all told encompasses … Continue reading

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