Posted on 08/19/2016 6:52:24 AM PDT by fella
In a continued effort to address alleged man-made global warming, the Obama administration has finalized energy efficiency standards for medium and heavy-duty trucks. While the administration is pledging to reduce fuel use and cut greenhouse gas emissions, its stringent energy mandate will do nothing to affect climate change.
What it will do, however, is take decisions away from the American individuals and businesses and consolidate more power in Washington. The regulation requires a wide variety of vehicles—from school buses and passenger vans, to garbage and delivery trucks and long-haul tractor-trailers—to improve fuel efficiency.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailysignal.com ...
What is wrong is that it is recognized that automobiles are already within 5% of the theoretical limit of efficiency of what can be gained from gasoline, but the EPA still wants it cranked up more. I’m told the theoretical limit is 64% and we are squeezing 59% efficiency already.
I think this is what is behind the Volkswagen fiasco. When rules are stupid, you tend to not take them seriously.
As Rep. Michael Burgess, R-Texas, remarked in his press release calling for the repeal of all federal energy conservation standards:
Which is the WRONG APPROACH, Instead try Embracing these new rules and DEMAND Obama issue an Executive Order MANDATING ALL FEDERAL EMPLOYEES use Only Public Transportatiopn to and from their respective workplaces, BAN ALL NON PUBLIC AIRLINE TRANSPORTATION for ALL FEDERAL EMPLOYEES AND FEDERAL RETIREES.
Then watch them squirm.
The EPA is not an environmental protection agency, it’s entire goal is to wreck capitalism. Don’t forget, this chickenshit agency banned over the counter asthma inhalers.
The only way to wring more mileage out of the cars is to make them lighter, less safe, and less powerful.
EPA will destroy our economy while other nations will urge it on and do nothing themselves.
The end result will be our own destruction and no impact on CO2 as if it matters one whit.
The whole purpose of these mandates is to stimulate demand for new engines and engine components. This is what happens when a fully-developed economy reaches the end of its useful life. Our capacity to produce things far exceeds our ability to use them, so the only way to keep people employed is to fabricate demand for things they wouldn't buy otherwise.
This is why engine manufacturers lobby heavily for these stupid mandates.
Two likely outcomes of these mandates. First, the new trucks will be too costly and lack hauling capacity so truck owners will hold on to their existing trucks until they fall apart. Second the new trucks will by necessity be smaller and have less hauling capacity so it will take more trips to move the same cargo. Either case will mean that there will be no significant impact on supposed global warming except in increased costs.
For those who might not know, European Union testing to label the mpg of vehicles is a joke, even compared to US testing which is regarded as somewhat unrealistic.
Greenies actually know this:
I live in KY, where there is no emissions testing for cars on the road. I also drive 160 miles round trip on my daily commute. I confess that when the Volkswagen cheating story broke, the first thing that hit my mind was, “I really need to get one of those before they ‘fix’ them.”
If I was already an owner, the cheating revelation would have very much pleased me.
And those mandated lighter weights, more plastic, less collision “crash space” (smaller crumple zones) kill about 5,000 - 8,000 PER YEAR.
But “Washington” and its EPA-liberal cheerleaders) don’t care. Fewer people = less “pollution” and “less environmental impact” don’t you see. (By the way, the pope agrees: But does not notice/care about the increased deaths coming from his enviro papers.)
Fk cafe standards...my 1971 International 1210 spews oil/gas straight out a standard muffler...get a pre 1972 car or truck and repair it...screw 40-50 thousand dollar tin cans...and Fk the EPA...
The EPA needs to be SHUT DOWN! Their decrees have nothing to do with “protecting” the environment.
When you realize that the EPA is being used as a weapon, just like the IRS is being used as a weapon, it all makes sense.
I recently retired from Peterbilt after 33 years. With my pension and 401k (now an IRA) I have a strong interest in the health of the truck manufacturing industry.
First, the new trucks will be too costly and lack hauling capacity so truck owners will hold on to their existing trucks until they fall apart.
Not just truck drivers. My wife and I have 1999 American Eagle motor coach. Still looks and runs great.
The main reason we haven’t thought about upgrading is that the new coaches with all the new emission rules (DEF, etc.) are more complicated and don’t get as good a mileage.
Towing a 5500 pickup truck, I get about 8.5 mpg on the flat. It helps that I drive 55-60 mph, rather than the 70-75 that the coaches passing me are doing.
Though I admit that’s hard to do out in west Texas where the speed limit is 85.
Obama just waves his magic pen and phone and so it is. Manufacturers will instantly have the technology and resources to follow the Obama commandments.
Take ethanol out and it goes up about 9% right there, and our groundwater gets cleaner too.
No selling cars was. Lying to government about stupid rules is,one thing. Lying to customers about what the car does or doesnt do is another. If they were above board to every buyer it would,be different, but they were not. And they were selling them based on false performance.
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