It's an Earth-friendly process known in environmental circles as "drilling Detroit." And it is, by far, the easiest, most cost-effective way to cut air pollution, combat climate change, conserve finite fossil fuels, eliminate the need for drilling in environmentally sensitive areas and lessen our reliance on imported oil.
While the U.S. must explore every avenue to achieve energy independence and become a leader in the new global-energy economy, you don't have to convince auto-infatuated, time-conscious Americans to park their cars and take the bus when you drill Detroit. Nor must you invent new technologies, perfect alternative fuels or develop renewable energy resources. And you don't have to invest billions of dollars in mass transit.
All you have to do is order automobile and truck manufacturers to increase their Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards. The Obama administration did it last year, mandating that manufacturers achieve fleet ratings of 35.5 miles per gallon for cars, SUVs and light trucks by 2016.
Now, Obama is preparing to drill Detroit once again, ordering the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to establish the nation's first fuel-economy and emissions standards for medium and heavy-duty trucks. The guidelines are due by August 2011.
Fuel-guzzling big rigs make a big target. According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, heavy- and medium-duty trucks represent just 4 percent of licensed vehicles on U.S. highways, but they consume a whopping 20 percent of the fuel and account for 21 percent of greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector.
Obama also ordered federal regulators to begin drafting new, more-stringent fuel and emission standards for light trucks and cars for the model years 2017-2025.
Opponents, primarily think tanks for the fossil fuel industries, claim the new standards will drive up the cost of trucks and cars. That's true. But consumers and trucking companies will quickly recoup their investment through fuel savings, while paying dividends to the environment.
Despite the seemingly onerous regulations, car and truck manufacturers, preferring national standards to a hodgepodge of state laws, are happy to comply. Obama was joined on stage by a who's-who of auto industry representatives.
The 20-year plan, Obama said, is to create fleets that burn half the fuel and produce half of the pollution that they do today. The goal is not only admirable and attainable, it's long overdue.
