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We here at RAN join the Grist crew in being underwhelmed by the new energy bill. Requiring 35 mpg fleet fuel economy in a decade or so is a modest improvement, sure. But plug-in hybrids—hybrids that allow you to recharge from the electrical grid in addition to generating electricity from gasoline—already get around 80 mpg. Also, some provisions for funding investment in renewables were stripped from the bill to get the CAFE standard through. It seems like Congress could do a little more if they were really serious about averting environmental catastrophe.
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I agree wholeheartedly. I am worried that national leadership on global warming may not come in time to save us; state and local actions may have to pick up the slack if we are to avert calamite. In Oregon, I’m trying to start an Adopt-a-Mayor program that will help citizens get started on making change in their cities and towns. If any readers of or contributers to the Understory would like to help this project get off the ground, my website is http://www.localsustainability.blogspot.com