While the energy headline from last week that received the most news coverage was President Biden announcing the release of one million barrels of oil a day from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to stem the tide of inflation resulting from supply chain hiccups and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, there were also two additional major energy related developments that can have potentially longer positive long term economic and environmental benefits for the American People.
The first was the April 1, 2022 statement from the The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in the Department of Transportation that will raise mileage standards for new vehicles from 28 mile per hour to 40 by 2026.
The second development, announced at the same time as the President's statement regarding the releasing a million barrels of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, was the Administration invoking the Defense Production Act to:
"...support the production and processing of minerals and materials used for large capacity batteries–such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, graphite, and manganese—and the Department of Defense will implement this authority using strong environmental, labor, community, and tribal consultation standards. The sectors supported by these large capacity batteries—transportation and the power sector—account for more than half of our nation’s carbon emissions. The President is also reviewing potential further uses of DPA – in addition to minerals and materials – to secure safer, cleaner, and more resilient energy for America..."
These two announcements, if fully implemented, will provide economic and environmental benefits to the American People at the gas pump, in the air everyone breathes, and in new good paying jobs from the construction of clean energy technologies which will help combat climate change.
Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego and Councilwoman Yassamin Ansari React to the Biden/Harris Administration Announcements.
Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego and Councilwoman Yassamin Ansari, two leaders in promoting combining clean sustainable economic development policies in their drive to smartly grow the fifth largest city in the country and combat climate change at the same time, offered their reactions to the Biden/Harris announcements.
Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego[/caption]On increasing the fuel mileage standards to 40 miles per hour by 2026, Mayor Gallego stated:
“Increasing fuel efficiency aligns with the Phoenix Climate Action plan goal to be net-zero by 2050, with 50% ghg emissions reductions by 2030. We also have set many targets related to transportation electrification, active transportation, and expansion of public transit. This focus and investment in advanced technologies and innovation will improve the climate, and we will grow new professional opportunities through green jobs.”
Councilwoman Ansari offered:
“I applaud President Biden’s plan to increase fuel efficiency standards to 40 mpg by 2026 – it is a step in the right direction but should be connected to a complete phase-out of gas-powered vehicles. In light of yet another United Nations climate report emphasizing that we have extremely limited time to act on climate, it is no longer the time to plan for using less fossil fuels but rather to plan for using no fossil fuels.”
On the Invoking of the Defense Production Act to secure vital clean energy raw materials, Mayor Gallego relayed:
“Our region is rich in natural resources, innovation, and the talent necessary for industries of the future, including semiconductor and electric vehicle battery manufacturing. President Biden’s actions will support the job growth Phoenix is already seeing by diversifying our economy in these industries, and it will strengthen technologies and innovation to improve the climate.”
Phoenix Councilwoman Yassamin Ansari[/caption]Councilwoman Ansari wrote:
“While I am heartened that the White House is including a goal to accelerate the transition to clean energy, domestic production of clean energy materials, and investments in energy efficiency, I am disappointed that the headlined action they are prioritizing is increased domestic production of oil. While it is important for the United States to be energy-independent and lower the costs placed on the shoulders of consumers, it is long past time that we avoid oil as the way to do so.”
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