Tag Archives: epa

Subaru to Debut 2012 Impreza at New York Auto Show

Posted on 7 April 2011 by Ken Zino

Subaru of America will debut of the all-new Subaru Impreza 4-door and 5-door models at the 2011 New York International Auto Show later this month. The new Impreza design will provide a larger interior for five passengers and what’s said to be improved levels of comfort and refinement. Current Impreza models sell in the $19,000 to $23,000 range. Continue reading →

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House Bill Says Greenhouse Gases not Air Pollutants. Republican Attack on EPA Despite Supreme Court Ruling

Posted on 16 March 2011 by Ken Zino

Since nothing in the Act precludes states from pursuing their own GHG policies, this is a severe setback for automakers that need one coordinated national standard for fuel economy and CO2 emissions. Continue reading →

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Taxpayer Subsidized Ethanol Caught in Partisan Budget Battle

Posted on 22 February 2011 by Ken Zino

The politics of ethanol, virtually all of it corn derived and therefore benefiting big money farm lobby interests, are as tangled as it gets. Taxpayers would be better off if legislators were required to wear NASCAR-style uniforms with the patches of the organizations that are their major, err, sponsors, to put it politely in pay to play Washington where campaign contributions from special interests determine policy not national interests. Continue reading →

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TRW and Fallbrook Sign MOU to Develop Continuously Variable Accessory Drive for Commercial Vehicles

Posted on 31 January 2011 by Ken Zino

TRW Automotive and Fallbrook Technologies today announced that they have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop applications for Fallbrook’s continuously variable accessory drive (CVAD) technology for commercial vehicles.

The specific applications covered by the MOU were not disclosed, but are designed to improve both performance and efficiency of vehicle accessories, which could directly increase vehicle fuel efficiency. Continue reading →

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Comments Closing Today on Proposed Bus and Truck Fuel Economy Standards. 500 million barrels of oil at stake?

Posted on 31 January 2011 by Ken Zino

The proposed rules would create comprehensive heavy-duty national program (HD National Program) designed to address what EPA says is “the urgent and closely intertwined challenges of dependence on oil, energy security, and global climate change.” Continue reading →

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Refinery to Pay $5.3 Million Penalty for Clean Air Act Violations

Posted on 26 January 2011 by Ken Zino

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Justice announced today that Hovensa LLC, owner of the second largest petroleum refinery in the United States, will pay a civil penalty of more than $5.3 million and spend more than $700 million in new pollution controls to resolve Clean Air Act violations at its St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands refinery. Continue reading →

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

Posted on 24 January 2011 by Ken Zino

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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EPA Grants E15 Fuel Waiver for Some Older Vehicles

Posted on 21 January 2011 by Ken Zino

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today waived a its regulation preventing the sale of gasoline that contains more than 10% ethanol for model year 2001- 2006 passenger vehicles, including cars, SUVs, and light pickup trucks.

EPA also announced that no waiver is being granted this year for E15 use in any motorcycles, heavy-duty vehicles, or non-road engines because current testing data does not support such a waiver. Continue reading →

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Chrysler and U.S. EPA Research Hydraulic Hybrid Minivan

Posted on 20 January 2011 by Ken Zino

Since Chrysler Group’s U.S. sales are comprised of more than 70% of vehicles rated as trucks, the company remains vulnerable to rising fuel prices. The E.P.A. claimed that a hydraulic hybrid could provide +35% in fuel efficiency gains, and possibly as much as a 60% improvement is city driving, compared to traditional powertrains in the same type of vehicles. Continue reading →

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

Posted on 4 January 2011 by Ken Zino

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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EPA Moves Ahead on Greenhouse Gas Standards

Posted on 23 December 2010 by Ken Zino

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

Posted on 21 December 2010 by Ken Zino

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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EPA Says Nissan LEAF Gets 106 MPGe

Posted on 23 November 2010 by Ken Zino

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved the fuel-economy label of the Nissan LEAF electric vehicle, claiming that the five-passenger car is best-in-class with a miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe) of 106 city, 92 highway or a combined 99 MPGe. Continue reading →

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Toyota Tops EPA Economy and CO2 Emissions List

Posted on 9 November 2010 by Ken Zino

For the 2009 model year Toyota had the lowest fleetwide adjusted composite CO2 emissions – and highest fuel economy – performance, followed by Hyundai and Honda, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 

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EPA to Stigmatize Gas Guzzlers with a D Grade?

Posted on 1 November 2010 by Ken Zino

EPA and DOT are proposing the most radical changes to the fuel economy labels of every new vehicle in dealer showrooms since the regulation began more than 30 years ago. “New technologies such as battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids are entering the American market in greater numbers,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “We need to provide consumers with labels that include fuel economy and environmental information so that buyers can make better informed decisions when purchasing new vehicles.”

EPA and DOT are actually proposing two new label designs for comment during a rule making period that will be subject to intense behind the scenes lobbying by automakers in pay to play Washington.  At stake is the stigma of a bad label on the side of a vehicle. Continue reading →

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