Environment Policy

Updated:  December 19, 2008

Background

The issue of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions has moved to the forefront of national and global stage.  Consequently, many local, state and federal governments have begun to implement, or move to implement, policies intended to mitigate carbon emissions.     

Current Status

Energy Independence and Security Act (P.L. 110-140)

In December 2007, President Bush signed the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (P.L. 140-110) into law.  The most groundbreaking provision within this legislation was the mandate that automobiles improve their fuel economy to 35 miles per gallon by 2018, the first raise in fuel economy standards in 32 years.   

The other major provision was the dramatic rise in the renewable fuel standard to 36 billion gallons by 2022, 15 billion of which would have to come from corn based ethanol and with the rest from other forms of biofuels.  This legislation also mandated the gradual phase-out of incandescent light bulbs beginning in 2012 and a variety of other efficiency improvements to energy intensive appliances, such as industrial refrigerators, freezers, and other equipment. 

FY 2009 Continuing Resolution (P.L. 110-343)

With that sentiment in mind, President Bush signed a $630 billion Continuing Resolution to fund the federal government through March 6th 2009.  The bill drew attention almost as much for what was included as for what was not included, mainly a moratorium on offshore drilling.  The bill contained three full appropriations, the FY09 Defense, Military Construction-VA and Homeland Security spending bills. It also contained a $25 billion loan for Detroit automakers through the Department of Energy to develop more fuel efficient vehicles. 

The Farm Bill (P.L. 110-246)

The 2008 Farm Bill did manage to include some provisions related to additional development of biofuels in the form of grants, subsidies and other payments for their accelerated development and deployment.  More specifically, the tariff on ethanol was reduced from $.51 to $.48 and the subsidy was reduced from $.54 to $.51.  

Federal Bailout Bill (P.L. 110-343)

This enormous piece of legislation, priced at over $850 billion, also included almost $17 billion in expiring renewable energy tax breaks.  

ASME Action

ASME delivered testimony on the President's FY09 request to Congress for Science & Technology. This document highlights programs that benefit ASME and its members.  To read this statement please click here.  

In early 2007, Climate Change Task Force (CCTF) was approved by Knowledge and Community Senior Vice President, Richard Laudenat along with representatives of Technical Communities and Government Relations.  Mr. Laudenat appointed Landis Kannberg as Chair to the Ad Hoc Committee.  The Committee’s assignment is to draft an updated position statement for ASME on global climate change as a follow up to ASME’s previous climate change position statement released in 1999.  This statement was entitled, “General Position Paper of ASME International on Technology Implications for the U.S. of the Kyoto Protocol Carbon Emission Goals.”  It proposed what would have had to be undertaken nationally in order for the U.S. to become compliant with the Kyoto protocol, or reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to 7 percent below 1990 levels.     

In this Kyoto statement, ASME examined four key areas of the nation’s economic structure for technological improvements in efficiency: transportation, buildings, industry and electric power transportation.  Their recommendations called for increased funding in research and development (R&D), renewed emphasis on performance-based approaches from private partnerships and the possibility of a cap-and-trade program or the creation of a carbon tax and other measures to reduce emissions. 

Like the initial statement, the purpose of the follow-up statement will be to encourage and to support sound public policy decisions by providing expertise on the technical and engineering challenges associated with stabilizing and reducing GHG.  The paper will include assessments and recommendations on currently available technologies, near-term technologies and R&D needs.  The paper is intended to be developed in accordance with ASME Policy 15.1 on Public Statements and is slated for release in 2009. 
 
Currently, Task Force members have been meeting bimonthly via teleconference.  The Task Force brings a unique background in diverse energy and industry sources such as solar, coal, nuclear as well as the automotive and manufacturing industries. 

To read ASME’s previous statement on Climate Change please click here.   
Staff Contact

For further information, contact Robert Rains, Government Relations Public Policy Specialist, at (202) 785-7483 or here.