By Wendy Brown?letters to the editor
When Barack Obama was elected president, I cried. For the first time in my life I felt I was going to be a part of history. For the first time in my life I felt we, as Americans, were finally going to see real change. And with each new day I do. Today”s announcement of the new efficiency standards bill will give new life to the American auto industry by creating strong, reliable markets for clean and efficient cars, and ensure that the next generation of cars can be built right here in the United States.
It will set new national standards for emissions and fuel efficiency, will reduce our dependence on foreign oil, lower energy costs for American consumers and reduce climate change-causing greenhouse gas emissions. The new standards are an important step, but it”s only a piece of President Obama”s broader effort to address climate change and our energy challenges. We need Congress to enact comprehensive energy and climate policy that will decrease our dependence on foreign oil, build vibrant markets for renewable energy, and achieve meaningful greenhouse gas reductions.
These standards represent the type of bold action the President promised the American people and demonstrate how President Obama is following through on his commitment to bring people together to solve the nation”s most intractable problems.
Wendy Brown
Lakeport
