September 7, 2011: The Green Transition Scoreboard also anticipates green investments and commitments of $1 trillion annually until 2020. Compared to the 2010 findings, global investors are slightly off pace to reach $10 trillion in green investment by 2020, but are still building momentum, the scoreboard says.
This is the first Green Transition Scoreboard report to include research and development investments under $100 million. “Deals under $100 million, while barely moving a barometer tracking investments in trillions, are significant as they demonstrate how thousands of different companies believe in the economic soundness of greening industries,” says Timothy Nash, lead researcher for the GTS.
August 9, 2011: Big-rig trucks will be required to reduce fuel consumption by about 20 percent by model year 2018, under heavy-duty vehicle efficiency rules unveiled by President Obama today. The new rules also include standards for heavy-duty pickup trucks and vans, with separate regulations for gasoline-powered and diesel-powered models. These vehicles will have to reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by up to 15 percent by model year 2018. Meanwhile, vocational vehicles – delivery trucks, buses and garbage trucks – will have to reduce consumption and emissions by about 10 percent by model year 2018.
The new rules, a joint initiative between the Department of Transportation and the Environmental Protection Agency, lay out more specific targets within these categories, based on vehicle design and purpose, the White House said. The Obama administration said the measures will save $50 billion in fuel costs over the life of model year 2014 to 2018 vehicles. Trucks and buses built between 2014 and 2018 will reduce oil consumption by a projected 530 million barrels and greenhouse gas emissions by about 270 million metric tons, the White House said.
It said that a semi-truck operator could pay for the necessary technology upgrades in under a year and realize net savings of $73,000 through reduced fuel costs over the lifespan of the truck. Auto Industry Agrees to 54.5 mpg Fuel Efficiency by 2024.
Auto Industry Agrees to 54.5 mpg Fuel Efficiency by 2024
July 29, 2011: President Barack Obama today hailed a deal to boost fuel efficiency standards to 54.5 mpg, saying it will save consumers $1.7 trillion over the lifetime of vehicles and doubling current requirements.
In announcing the pact, Obama was joined by 13 automakers, including representatives of Detroit’s Big Three automakers, Toyota Motor Corp., BMW AG, Honda Motor Co., Nissan Motor Co. and Hyundai Motor Co.
“This agreement on fuel standards represents the single most important step we’ve ever taken as a nation to reduce our dependence on foreign oil,” the president said. “Most of the companies here today were part of an agreement we reached two years ago to raise the fuel efficiency of their cars over the next five years. We’ve set an aggressive target and the companies are stepping up to the plate.” …
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