New House Leadership, Same Mileage Standards
by EcoGeek.org on 11.13.06
John Dingell, a Representative from Michigan, will, come January, be the Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. His district is home to all three of America's top car manufacturers, and, for some reason, he's not in favor of increasing mileage standards. Some members of Congress have been walking the Treehugger line, saying that efficiency of American vehicles could easily double in every class. The benefits for the environment would be incalculable, they say, and the burden on industry would be negligible. But with Detroit's Representative charing the House Energy Committee, those changes are extremely unlikely.
Dingell's perspective seems to be that new clean technologies should be strongly encouraged, but no regulations should be placed directly on the automakers. In a recent interview with CNBC, Dingell was asked about vehicle efficiency standards and replied, "I’m not sure that there’s any urgent needs for us to address those questions.”
Automotive regulations that are likely to get passed under Dingell all involve "incentives" for the automobile industry. Incentives for vehicle conversion to ethanol and biodiesel, incentives for building more efficient vehicles and incentives for production of electric vehicles top the list of likely Dingell environmental legislation. And, hey, we like all of those ideas.
But really, after 12 years of flat line efficiency, to say that efficiency standards aren't important and would place undue burdens on automobile manufacturers is disheartening and ridiculous. While we recognize Dingell's commitment to technologies of the future, today's mileage standards are going nowhere.
Improving fuel efficiancy is also a "clean technology" and should also be encouraged.
I like to take the optimistic view that soon (!) incentives will come in the form of consumer demand for green products! And when that happens, all of the politicians will change their tune...
Sometimes it feel like Detroit is the only one who doesn't know what's good for it. If it did, it wouldn't be in the mess it's in now..
It's almost like that spoiled child who doesn't want to take his medicine...
People often get confused thinking that all politicians of a certain party tow the same line. Ultimately, they are products of their constituency, and that's why you'll see guys like Dingell fight efficiency standards.
It's one of the weaknesses of our system.
I would be quite certain this representative from Michigan (i.e. Detroit) gets some mighty hefty campaign contributions from our friends the auto makers.
Passing legislation that would against their wishes would stop that flow of money. Special interests with lots of cash are keeping this country from making good decisions. Which sort of takes the "govern" out of government.
This effectively keeps us from ever being really strategic about energy policy. Of course, this isn't just energy, it's everything. As a country we have amazing resources, we just are misusing them. For example, we could be paying out right for 1 million residential solar PV installations a week for what we are paying for Iraq.
With the hard decisions ahead of us it is shame we are squandering so many opportunities. But until we reform our political system we will be making the green conversion in spite of our government instead of with our government.
I would be quite certain this representative from Michigan (i.e. Detroit) gets some mighty hefty campaign contributions from our friends the auto makers. According to this http://www.crp.org/politicians/sector.asp?CID=N00001783&cycle=2006
It looks like the auto companies are not the most hefty contributors. But hey if you want to make unbacked wild and crazy accusations go ahead.
It looks like the auto companies are not the most hefty contributors.
No, they're #2.
http://opensecrets.org/politicians/allindus.asp?CID=N00001783
But hey if you want to make unbacked wild and crazy accusations go ahead
It's "wild and crazy" to say that someone is getting "mighty hefty campaign contributions from our friends the auto makers" when that industry is the 2nd biggest source of a Congressman's funding?
expanding on a previous comment about contributions, the same web site, on another page, http://www.crp.org/politicians/pfds.asp?CID=N00001783
seems to show that 77% of his personal assets are invested in "transportation".
what's his email address? let's FLOOD him with demands to change things, that's what the last elections were all about!!!
With all due respect, the post you are calling "wild and crazy accusations" is, in fact, quite on the mark, as well as being rather more articulate than your lashing out. And a quick look at the linked website will also show that "energy" is a huge contributor as well. They more than anyone have a vested interest in the US cars and SUVs continuing to consume lots more gas than necessary.
So Mr. "wild and crazy" try to keep the focus on the content instead of rudely insulting others who take the time to write thoughtful, well reasoned posts. You are free to disagree, just focus on the content, not attaching the person who is sharing their thoughts. Many thanks.
Looking at the data it is clear that Transportation and Energy are two of the biggest contributors.
If you look a little deeper, you will see GM Financial is major contributor in the "Financial and Banking" sector. Really, could you actually think a representative from Michigan wouldn't be supporting these sectors, rather than propose fuel economy regulations that could make them loose millions? Please think before you post.
expanding on a previous comment about contributions, the same web site, on another page, http://www.crp.org/politicians/pfds.asp?CID=N00001783
seems to show that 77% of his personal assets are invested in "transportation".
He's from MI what do you expect?
I've got to come to this guy's defense here. His job isn't to Represent America. His job is to Represent Detroit. It's not the automakers giving him money that matters, it's the fact that his district lives and breaths auto manufacturing.
His district lives on those companies, probably a healthy percent of people who vote for him work for those companies. He's representing them, that's his job.
It should also be noted that he's a pretty good guy and has submitted a bill for for a national health insurance plan every Congress since 1955.
It should also be noted that he's a pretty good guy and has submitted a bill for for a national health insurance plan every Congress since 1955.
... which would help GM and Ford immensely.
I've got to come to this guy's defense here. His job isn't to Represent America. His job is to Represent Detroit. It's not the automakers giving him money that matters, it's the fact that his district lives and breaths auto manufacturing.
His district lives on those companies, probably a healthy percent of people who vote for him work for those companies. He's representing them, that's his job.
It should also be noted that he's a pretty good guy and has submitted a bill for for a national health insurance plan every Congress since 1955.
Yes...yes, and it would also help detroit immensely.
Yes...yes, and it would also help detroit immensely.
I think the point here is that we all agree he is doing what one would expect him to do -- representing his "constituency", with the knowledge that that is heavily weighted towards the people who pay for his campaigns.
The result of that is detrimental to the nation, and the world, as a whole, since he will be in a position to stop advances in policies which raise fuel economy.
Good points, Hank.
This is just an example of the US political system at work, for better or for worse.
He isn't doing anything most every other career politician does.
That said, we do have lessen the impact of contributions, because sometimes these political decisions line the pockets of corporations, while being bad for the public at large.
OK. So Dingell won't champion higher CAFE standards because of his constituency. That doesn't mean all the other Congressman can't create a legislation groundswell for increased fuel efficiency mandates and force it through. He's only one guy, and I think the general electorate is in favor of it if it gets us out of political jams and financial privation.