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Tag Archives: Biden-Harris Administration
EPA Launches More Climate Pollution Reduction Grants
The two new competitions are part of the second round of funding from EPA’s $5 billion Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program, which was created by President Biden’s bi-partisan Inflation Reduction Act, the largest climate investment in history. EPA is announcing the availability of $4.6 billion across two implementation grant competitions, one general competition and one specifically for Tribes and territories. Under these competitions, eligible applicants will compete for CPRG implementation grants to fund measures in their state-, municipality-, Tribe-, or territory-specific climate action plans. As part of its evaluation of applications, EPA will prioritize measures that achieve the greatest amount of GHG emissions reductions. Continue reading
Posted in economy, electric vehicles, environment, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, public health
Tagged @KenAutoinformed, Adam Ortiz, autoinformed.com, Automotive News and Commentary, Biden-Harris Administration, Climate Pollution Reduction Grants, Climate Week 2023, epa, Inflation Reduction Act, IRA, Ken Zino
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USDOT Proposes 58 MPG Fuel Economy Standard
The US Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration today issued a proposal to update fuel economy standards for passenger cars and light trucks. The “preferred alternative” among several in NHTSA’s proposal includes a 2% per year improvement in fuel efficiency for passenger cars and a 4% per year improvement for light trucks beginning in model year 2027. This increases through model year 2032, potentially reaching an average fleet fuel economy of 58 miles per gallon by 2032. However, NHTSA notes that real word fuel economy is ~20-30% lower than estimated CAFE fuel economy.* Continue reading
EPA Propose Tougher Air Emissions Reporting Requirements
“Data and science are the very foundation of the work we do every day at EPA to protect public health and the environment,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “When we have the most recent, most accurate data on air toxics and other emissions, we can improve our identification of areas where people may be at risk from pollution, develop solutions and help ensure everyone has clean air to breathe.” Continue reading
ChargeX Consortium to Improve EV Charging Announced by the US Department of Energy National Laboratories
During the next two years, the national labs will collaborate with industry to measure and identify opportunities to significantly improve the customer experience with public EV charging infrastructure in the United States. The consortium sets a goal that public charging stations nationwide will provide a charge to vehicles the first time, every time. This new, clearly aspirational, goal is not enforceable. However, it complements federal requirements of greater than 97% uptime to ensure that each customer can successfully and easily charge at public charging stations. Continue reading
Department of Transportation Wants Tougher Pipeline Regs
At its heart, the proposed rule will update decades-old federal leak detection and repair standards that rely solely on human senses in favor of new requirements that add an additional layer of safety by deploying commercially available, advanced technologies to find and fix leaks of methane and other flammable, toxic, and corrosive gases. These health and safety improvements will advance environmental justice in communities where gas pipeline infrastructure is disproportionately sited. Continue reading
Posted in energy, environment, public health, safety, transportation
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, Biden-Harris Administration, Environmental Justice, Ken Zino, PHMSA, PHMSA Deputy Administrator Tristan Brown, PIPES Act of 2020, US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg
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EPA Wants Toughest Federal Emission Standards Ever
Thus far automakers are not commenting in public with details. AutoInformed suggests that this is likely due to the complexity of the problem and backroom lobbying by special interests groups and affected companies or international automotive groups with complex regulatory environments, so to speak, in various areas.
However, the European Union, Britain and Canada have at present enacted similar vehicle emissions standards designed to phase out the sale of new gasoline-powered vehicles by ~2035 while transitioning to electric vehicles. Continue reading
Posted in economy, electric vehicles, environment, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, milestones, news analysis, transportation
Tagged auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, Biden-Harris Administration, carb, carbon footprint, climate change, co2, Death of the diesel, global warming, greenhouse gases, Ken Zino, Michael S. Regan, The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy
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First CHIPS for America Funding Applications Now Open
Awards will take the form of direct funding, federal loans, and/or federal guarantees of third-party loans. Awards are designed to complement—not replace—private investment and other sources of funding, and applicants are strongly encouraged to bring capital to the table. CHIPS for America awards will be made as soon as applications can be rigorously evaluated and negotiated. The automobile industry, of course, has been hobbled by interruptions in its supply of offshore-produced chips or semi-conductors. Continue reading
EPA Proposes an Endangerment Finding for Aircraft Engines Still Running on Leaded Fuel
The US Environmental Protection Agency today announced a proposed determination that emissions of lead* from aircraft that operate on leaded fuel cause or contribute to air pollution that may reasonably be anticipated to endanger public health and welfare. Under the … Continue reading
An Idea Whose Time has Come – Smart Infrastructure
The SMART Grants Program – the latest example of how government can effect change for its people – comes from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, signed by President Biden on 15 November 2021. The Infrastructure law – almost universally opposed by the Republican party, whose members are still trying to overturn the last election while endorsing political violence – will offer up to $100 million in grants annually over the next five years. It will fund projects that use data and technology to solve real-world challenges facing communities today, the Administration said in a release. Continue reading
Posted in autonomous vehicles, connected vehicles, customer satisfaction, milestones, transportation
Tagged Advanced Transportation Technology and Innovation program, ATTAIN, auto industry commentary, autoinformed.com, Biden-Harris Administration, dot, fhwa, Ken Zino, Pete Buttigieg, SMART Grants Program
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Ukraine – Commerce Puts Restrictions on Exports to Russia
The export control measures are the most comprehensive application of Commerce’s export authorities on U.S. items, including technology, as well as on foreign items produced using U.S. equipment, software, and blueprints, targeting a single nation. These were implemented with the cooperation of the United States, the European Union (EU), Japan, Australia, United Kingdom, Canada, and New Zealand. More nations are expected to align their export control policies and requirements with todays actions. “If necessary, based upon any subsequent destabilizing actions by Russia, the U.S. government will follow up in the days to come with additional stringent economic measures,” Commerce said. Continue reading
Infrastructure – More DOT Roadway Safety Planning Grants
Whether it’s a dangerous intersection or highway, or a need for better bus and bike lanes, no one can better pinpoint a community’s safety needs than the people who actually live and work there,” said US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “In the past five years, the communities we are awarding these grants to experienced nearly 14,000 roadway deaths. To help change that unacceptable reality, we are proud to deliver this needed funding to help them address their unique safety needs and save lives.” Continue reading →