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NZ: Overlander rail decision may be reversed by peak oil
New Zealand Green Party press release, Scoop
Overlander decision may be reversed when peak oil bites
The Government must ensure that Toll does not dismantle the infrastructure that would allow the Overlander service to be reinstated when the effects of the end of cheap oil really start to bite, the Green Party says.
Co-Leader Jeanette Fitzsimons says she is disappointed at the decision to ditch the passenger rail service between Auckland and Wellington.
“This is clearly the result of competition from cheap off-peak airfares, but that situation certainly will not last.
“I predict that as oil prices continue to rise further we will need the Overlander again.
“The Government has agreed with Toll that the service could no longer be justified, and now it should also ensure that Toll retains that infrastructure so that the Overlander can be reinstated when it is needed again,” Ms Fitzsimons says.
“If we are to ensure that New Zealand is future-proofed, we can not afford to lose these integral parts of our public transport network forever.”
(25 July 2006)
Students hop on planes to save the planet
Ben Webster and Matt Sandy, UK Times
Young people may claim they want to save the planet, but they are determined to see it first.
Those aged 15 to 24 are more likely than any other age group to oppose restrictions on air travel, the fastest growing contributor to climate change.
Despite being better schooled in environmental issues than previous generations, they are twice as likely as those aged 65 and over to reject measures that would slow the growth in flights.
Young people are also less willing to support higher taxes on air travel, according to a MORI survey of 2,000 people commissioned by the Airfields Environment Trust, a charity that seeks to raise awareness of the impact of aircraft.
(21 July 2006)
Flying on holiday ‘a sin’, says bishop
Becky Barrow, Daily Mail
Flying abroad for a foreign holiday is “a sin” against the planet, one of the country’s leading bishops has declared.
Like murder, adultery and stealing, choosing to travel on jet planes has moral consequences, according to the Bishop of London because flights are doing too much damage to the environment.
In a highly controversial statement, Richard Chartres, 59 – who admits to regular visits to Russia – urged Christians to stop taking endless flights and to live a more ‘eco-friendly’ lifestyle.
He said: “There is now an overriding imperative to walk more lightly upon the earth and we need to make our lifestyle decisions in that light.
“Making selfish choices such as flying on holiday or buying a large car are a symptom of sin.
…The bishop’s remarks come at a time when the Church of England is desperately trying to convince people to be green.
It is about to publish a booklet about the environment called Treasures on Earth and has set up ‘The 40 per cent Church of England’ campaign.
This aims to slash the church’s carbon emissions – a major contributor to climate change – to 40 per of current levels by 2050.
Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury who drives the eco-car, Toyota Prius, is also banging the green drum.
(23 July 2006)
Lutz: GM building hybrids for good press
LeftLane News
General Motors Vice Chairman Bob Lutz said in an interview this week that GM doubts the benefits of hybrids, but must build them to improve its public image. “Hybrids are technologically of doubtful benefit, and expensive, but necessary from a political and public relations point of view,” Lutz told Just-Auto. “Toyota has said, economically, hybrids make no sense. The reduction in fuel [consumption] does not pay for the technological content and cost of the vehicle so therefore economically it remains fairly nonsensical, so that’s the left-brain analytical argument.”
“The right brain is it’s the popular thing to do, many people believe that if we all drove hybrids the world would suddenly get cooler again and then it’s the patriotic thing to do because if you drive a hybrid you will no longer be funding the Arab terrorists, and so forth.”
“So, with all those beliefs out there, you have to do a hybrid for public policy reasons.”
“I don’t care how much money you get out but when you’ve got two drivetrains, the sophisticated electronics and a big lithium-ion battery, you’ve got cost.”
Lutz says diesels are also problematic. “The modern diesel is becoming more and more expensive as we have to have to gear up to meet Euro 5, which is very difficult.”
“Let’s not forget, a diesel engine is always going to be more expensive than a conventional petrol engine, that’s the laws of physics.”
In March, Lutz said GM is most enthusiastic about ethanol. “We think running the nation on E85 makes more sense than all the hybrids in the world,” he said.
(21 July 2006)
EPA report charts the rise and fall of U.S. fuel economy
Press release, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released their annual report, “Light-Duty Automotive Technology and Fuel Economy Trends: 1975 Through 2006.” The report is based on sales projections provided by automakers and provides data on the fuel economy and technology characteristics of cars, vans, sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks – collectively termed “light-duty vehicles” – for model years 1975 through 2006.
The report found that since 1975, the fuel economy of the combined car and light truck fleet has moved through four phases: a rapid increase from 1975 continuing to the mid-1980s; a slow increase extending into the late 1980s; a gradual decline until the mid-1990s; and, a period of relatively constant fuel economy since then.
Fuel economy is of public policy interest because it is directly related to:
- Energy security — light-duty vehicles consume almost 40 percent of all U.S. oil consumption;
- The cost of fueling a vehicle which becomes even more important when the cost of crude oil rises; and,
- Emissions of greenhouse gases – light duty vehicles contributed almost 20 percent of all U.S. carbon dioxide emissions.
To read the entire 101-page report, go to www.epa.gov/otag/cert.mpg/fetrends/420r06011.pdf. To read the 10-page executive summary, go to www.epa.gov/otaq/cert/mpg/fetrends/420s06003.htm.
(July 2006)
I assume this is an EPA press release, though I can’t find it on their website. Submitted by the staff of Rep. Roscoe Bartlett. -BA
