 |
|||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Brand Protection/Anti-Counterfeiting Card Check and the Employee Free Choice Act Commercial Vehicle Safety Technology Global Environmental Regulations International Trade Negotiations Research and Development (R&D) Tax Credit Stopping Distance for Heavy Duty Trucks
|
supplier issues Climate Change Description: As is evidenced by the number of vehicle technologies available to curb the use of gasoline, the motor vehicle supplier industry recognizes the need for cutting greenhouse gas emissions which are linked to climate change. However, this is not an issue that can be answered by one industry alone. Any attempts by Congress, federal agencies or states to require mandatory reductions in emissions should be economy wide. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the transportation sector accounts for 27 percent of domestic greenhouse gas emissions. Roughly half of those emissions come from passenger cars. EPA also recognizes that technology innovation has been a main factor in reducing vehicle emissions in the past and will be a key approach in the future. Status: The Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee reported out legislation, S. 2191, which will cap emissions of greenhouse gases from power plants, manufacturers, petroleum refiners and other stationary sources of greenhouse gases. The version of the bill passed by the EPW Committee also includes language that explicitly allows states to go further than federal standards. In December 2007, EPA denied California’s request for a waiver under the Clean Air Act to limit gas emissions from cars and small trucks. In the House of Representatives, Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman John Dingell (D-Mich.) and Energy and Air Quality Subcommittee Chairman Rick Boucher (D-Va.) have released a position paper that outlines the scope of a cap-and-trade program leading up to legislation addressing mandatory, economy-wide climate change requirements. Impact on Industry: Given that the transportation sector accounts for such a large portion of greenhouse gas emissions, any attempts to legislate reductions on mobile sources will have significant impact on both the supplier industry and its customers. Limits on stationary sources will also have an impact on manufacturing practices of MEMA’s market segment association members. MEMA Staff Contact:
|
