OT/
Firstly, I was chastised several weeks ago by Bearcatb and Whitepine for bringing up a similar topic n conservation, told it was OT, and made to discuss in PM. Are there two sets of rules on this board?
Secondly, the comment
"Nothing has been done to reduce consumption"
is preposterous. Automobile fuel consumption targets, put in place by previous administrations on the back of the 70's gasoline shortages, were not applied to SUVs over 6000 lbs GVW. Not just environmentalists but even the State of California has been pushing for this, but the EPA has been unsupportive and combative, telling Californians that only the EPA, not the states, can regulate fuel economy. Meanwhile California enjoys some of the highest rates of bronchitis, emphysema, asthma, in the nation.
After the Japanese proved they could make a hybrid vehicle, and a hybrid SUV, Detroit woke up, and finally started to produce what the consumer wanted. Followers, not leaders. The big three could easily make all their vehicles hybrid, but neither they, nor the regulators, listened to the environmentalists. If they did, they'd be participating much more in the hybrid boom that Toyota and Honda are enjoying, instead of relying on a shrinking, narrow sub-segment of the market (gasoline SUVs and trucks) for their profits.
Yes, those environmental groups help the environment, it is our 'leaders' who hinder us and put human existence at risk.
PM me if you want. |
