Hopeful Signs

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7143881.stm

"A landmark energy bill requiring greater fuel efficiency in US cars and
trucks for the first time in 30 years has been passed by the Senate"

That article cheered me up somewhat. It doesn't take much of a brain to
figure out that technology and not a luddite mentality is needed to combat
fossil fuel consumption. I wonder if they will extend it to motorbikes,
they should.

 

Unfortunately the people making legislation don't seem to have a
basic grasp of chemistry, engineering or physics, things that are
necessary to come up with legislation concerning CO2 emissions.

In other words, legislating a particular level of CO2 emissions
for a fossil-fueled vehicle is exactly equivalent to setting a
horsepower limit. And, without considering the entire system of
energy production, which may well include a coal-fired power
plant, specifying a 'zero-emission' electric vehicle may in fact
be dirtier than a hydrocarbon (note the hydro) fueled hybrid
car... but that's not at all important because the important thing
is to appear to be doing the right thing for the planet, not
actually DOING the right thing.

Simply taxing the hell out of fuel would be a far better option
than mandating miles per gallon.

 

Sounds like they know exactly how it works. "Oh ****, we've accidentally
set a de facto horsepower limit. Oops."

Taxing fuel hits the oil companies. Setting an MPG target hits the car
manufacturers.

 

Are you expecting capacity for rational thought and good sense from
politicians?

 

Sorry, I had a moment of weakness, won't happen again.