Energy Efficiency and Diversity Obtained through Short and Long Term Plans to Thoroughly Regulate, and Provide Incentivized Opportunities.
Outline of Policy Reform/New Policy
a. Topic
i. Audience and People Affected
ii. Research
iii. Approach on Topic
iv. Related Government and Groups
v. Stages to Policy Process
vi. Maximize Support, Minimize Resistance
a. Topic: Energy Efficiency, Regulation, Incentives
i. Audience and People Affected
ii. Research
- Federal and California Exhaust and Evaporative Emission Standards for Light-Duty Vehicles and Light-Duty Trucks
- April 7, 2009--European Car Dealership Tax Initiatives
- If car customers/consumers trade in older, less fuel efficient cars, for new "greener" cars, they they will be offered a 2, 000 euro incentive.
- The UK was the last developed countries to offer incentives through the government for "clean cars."
- It is projected that this will cost the government between 150-160 million euros. However, since the car industry is in decline, and since pollution levels are increasingly high, this is what the government has come down to.
- European Investment Bank's Board of Directors has issued 866 million euros to the car industry to improve on "clean car" technology and engineering, in order to lower CO2 emissions.
- In reference to Obama's new green economy and green business Plan
"Nancy Sutley: Well I think there's a few things. The thing about the stimulus money, in addition to whether someone can find a program in there that works for their company, which I know there are a number of them, and not only the president has said, you know, we've got to get the money out quickly. The Department of Energy is working very hard on getting the money out quickly, showing that companies can take advantage of some of the pots of money, who are in the position to create green jobs, to move these technologies forward.
I think it really is a commitment, it shows a commitment to thinking differently about energy and looking to the private sector through research and development and deployment of these technologies to unleash the creativity of the private sector in a lot of these cases. I think having a research scientist, like Dr. Chu, running the energy department, I mean he gets that sort of chain of how you get from a bright idea in the lab to technologies that can be deployed.
We're thinking not only about stimulus money, but the policies that support these kinds of businesses and that will focus people on developing these technologies. In talking about moving towards this clean energy economy and talking about – you know, the president asked for Congress to send him legislation capping greenhouse gas emissions with a market-based system that, in addition to specific policies, will also provide a real spark and real stimulus to these companies."
- Carbon Trust Standard
- What small and large companies must do in order to qualify for the standard, there needs to be a good deal of evidence which shows a dramatic reduction in said company's carbon footprint:
- 1. Research and Measurements: Three years of data must be evaluated, applied, and concluded regarding the Carbon footprint. Measurement of used fuels need to be accessed: Which fuels were used, how much, how they were used.
- 2. Manage the Carbon Footprint: Regulations and Incentives must be applied to the resulting research of the company's carbon use.
- 3. Demonstrate Reduced Direct Carbon Footprint: Evidence needs to show that a reduction in fuel type or alternative energy source is now used, reduction of how much fuel is when, reduction of waste is evident, and reduction of pollution is evident.
- Obama/Biden Energy Plan
- -Energy Efficiency: Electricity will increase by 1.1% per year. Goal to reduce electricity demand 15% from projected levels by 2020. Save consumers a total of $130 billion, reduce CO2 emissions by more than five billion tons through 2030, and create jobs.
- -National Low Carbon Fuel Standard: Fuel suppliers in 2010 must begin to reduce the carbon of their fuel by 5% within 5 years, ten within ten years.
- -1 Million New Hybrids- New hybrid cars which get 150 miles per gallons of gas. $7, 000 tax credit for purchase of hybrid and electric vehicles. Goal-Half of cars be purchased as hybrids or electric by 2012.
- -Increase Fuel Economy Standards: Increase by 4% each year. Will save half a trillion gallons of gasoline and 6 billion metric tons of GHGs.
iii. Approach on Topic
Just as defensive driving classes and drivers education allows people to receive a reduction on their insurance, different environmental programs should be created and offered by the local town/city government, in which the state can provide such insurance or tax incentives that parallel the Safe Drivers rewards. Depending on what the state government mandates, that is what should be provided.
California and other environmental leaders should work one-on-one with the EPA in order to assure American a bright, clean future. Programs such as the Cal-EPA should be put to use in order for research and regulation purposes. A dramatic cut on emissions needs to take affect. Obama's National Low Carbon Fuel Standard is now in affect, and if companies cannot meet standards, there will be huge repercussions, along with the threat of a non-existing business. Regulations on CO2 emission reductions can be "suggested" by states and industry to be met by offering incentives.
Incentives, such as tax deductions, will be given to companies who no longer depend on oil or coal, but on alternative energy sources to heat and power their buildings. Car companies will be offered deductions with every electric or hybrid car they sell. Just as the UK and the US have already initiated, the tax deduction or car refund made available to citizens who purchase a "green" car will amount to $7, 000. States who follow regulation for emission cuts will also be benefitted by the US federal government.
If regulations, education, and incentives are met, then Obama's Energy Plan for One Million New hybrids cars on the road by 2015, and his Energy Efficiency Plan of reducing CO2 emissions by five billion tons can be met.
iv. Related Government and Groups
- Environmental Protection Agency
- California Environmental Protection Agency
- Air Resources Board Staff
- The California Energy Commission
- Jeffrey D. Bryon
- Commissioner and Presiding Member
- James D. Boyd
- Vice Chair and Associate Member
- Department of Labor
- Department of Energy
- State Departments of Energy: Pollution Prevention Programs
- State Departments for Environmental Protection
- State Departments of Motor Vehicles
- Local Educational Facilities/Programs
- American Tax Payers
- Alternative Energy Industries
- Car Industry
v. Stages to Policy Process
- Research and Funding: Research individual companies for carbon emissions for 3 years, Organize new groups (educational groups/programs to inform the public about their responsibility when it comes to energy efficiencies and air pollution) and apply new carbon applications/regulations/programs, Promote green and clean resources through providing information to the public about new incentives and the positives of the new California and EPA policy (which includes several aspects of Obama's Energy Plan).
- Education: Start educating the public through programs that are funding by alternative energy industries, that teach people how to become better, more green citizens through reducing their carbon footprint.
- Regulations: Set new regulations which coincide with the Obama/Biden Energy Efficiency Plan, Green Car by 2015 Plan, National Low Carbon Fuel Standard, and the International Trust Standard.
- Incentives: Offer set incentives to alternative energy industries, car manufacturers who offer green opportunities, tax payers who buy clean green machines.
- Evaluations and Receiving Incentives: After evaluating the new policy plan through conducting more research (another three years worth), conclude if the educational programs, incentives, and regulations are successful.
vi. Maximize Support, Minimize Resistance
With offering so many opportunities through local and federal governments, it is difficult for industry and tax payers to turn down such unique opportunities. The incentives of tax deductions and insurance deductions enables a more affordable "green" lifestyle for the average American. Understanding that reducing our carbon footprints leads to a lack of health care and environmental clean up tax reductions can be very realistic, and will promote the American public to take part in the new "green" trend. With so many incentive and deduction opportunities, it allows people to understand that living in an eco-friendly manor does not mean that one needs to be an upper class citizen, "green" can be affordable and possible for all citizens.