- Increased automobile fuel economy from 25 mpg to 35mpg (this is a fleetwide average so not all cars, SUVs and trucks are required to meet the 35 mpg measure);
- Increased production of ethanol and increased number of automobiles capable of running on ethanol and other biofuels;
- Increased energy efficiency for appliances and lighting (this measure requires federal government to install efficient lighting in public buildings);
- Increased grants and loans for fuel efficient vehicles and clean fuel research;
- Promotion of carbon dioxide capture from coal-burning power plants and ground sequestration; and
- Categorization of charging "unconscionable excessive" oil prices as a federal crime, which gives the federal government authority to investigate oil market manipulations.
Liquid Coal as an Energy Alternative
In response to the new energy bill, World Resources Institute (WRI) president, Jonathan Lash, outlined the economic and environmental costs of the production and use of liquid coal as an energy source. Lash's article, "The Problem with Coal Liquids Subsidies," supports the Senate's decision not to include liquid coal subsidies into the new energy bill. Lash cites the startling facts that production and use of liquid coal would create nearly twice the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of oil and require additional water resources at a time when water scarcity is affecting many regions of the U.S. Even with the introduction of Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS) technologies, which involve long-term storage of greenhouse gases so that they are not emitted into the atmosphere, liquid coal manufacturing would result in at least 10% more GHG emissions than oil. The Senate voted against proposals for extracting liquid from coal.
RELATED LINKS
Coal-to- Liquid Technology Entices Congress
Senate passes energy bill, boosting mileage standards
AAAS Center for Science, Technology and Congress Policy Brief: Coal-to-Liquid Technology
House Dems Push for Fuel Economy Boost
EARTHTRENDS
