tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28821987.post5659514991988735016..comments2023-12-30T21:07:49.487-07:00Comments on Arizona 8th: Saved some outrage?Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28821987.post-74945021232087548442007-06-15T10:43:00.000-07:002007-06-15T10:43:00.000-07:00Framer,Hmmmm ... where exactly does the bill spell...Framer,<BR/><BR/>Hmmmm ... where exactly does the bill spell out how any _company_ has to allocate it's R&D money? If a company thinks it can more rapidly increase it's fuel efficiency values through investment into fuel cell innovations, more power to them.<BR/><BR/>The bill does allocate money for research into lightweight materials, but that's a government program, not something expected to be funded by auto manufacturers.<BR/><BR/>It's always possible I am missing something in the bill which dictates to car companies which technologies they can and can not invest research dollars in. Please feel free to point it out to me. I scanned the entire document and didn't see any such provision, but may have overlooked it.Siroccohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01690606094337353266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28821987.post-345616541282123832007-06-15T10:07:00.000-07:002007-06-15T10:07:00.000-07:00Sirocco,Oh, no doubt there is room to move toward ...Sirocco,<BR/><BR/>Oh, no doubt there is room to move toward fuel economy, and $3-$4 a gallon will get us there anyway. Fuel Economy is what built Toyota and Honda regardless of government mandate. Making automakers pour R&D into what Chuck Schumer thinks is important it a terrible idea. I would prefer that this money be spent competing with other manufacturers to bring about real innovation. Every dime spent into making your car lighter to save fuel, then overengineering after that to compensate for safety could be used to invest in more robust battery systems, fuel cell innovations, and biofuel technology.<BR/><BR/>Do you think that there is any one person in the senate who has a big enough clue to lay out a plan for automobile power development moving forward into the rest of the century? How about at Toyota or GM? If such a person exists, that is where they will be. Let them work.<BR/><BR/>Now if the government wants to lay out some sort of X prize reward for certain technological benchmarks in the fuel saving area, I'm all for that, and it would actually be effective.<BR/><BR/>This "energy" bill is a stinker from the get-go.Framerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09867927854445059711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28821987.post-1193049768340495442007-06-15T07:45:00.000-07:002007-06-15T07:45:00.000-07:00I agree the removal of hydroelectric and nuclear p...I agree the removal of hydroelectric and nuclear power from consideration as renewable resources is inane, and it disappoints me greatly.<BR/><BR/>However, increased fuel economy standards are something we need, and we need it more than we need "consumer choice". There are bright engineers out there, some of them are even employed by the auto industry (most of them at Toyota and Honda lately, apparently, but that's another story), and I am sure they can find ways to provide myself and other consumers ample choice and better fuel efficiency at teh same time.Siroccohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01690606094337353266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28821987.post-5112967557069830792007-06-14T14:19:00.000-07:002007-06-14T14:19:00.000-07:00Indeed, I am going to revisit the automobile part ...Indeed, I am going to revisit the automobile part of the issue.<BR/><BR/>What this bill appears to be is legislation composed at an idealogical and emotional basis rather than grounded in any type of economical or practical reality. Removing nuclear and hydroelectric from consideration as a "renewable" energy resource is pretty arbitrary, and based more on Sierra Club recommendation than any type of rational planning.Framerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09867927854445059711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28821987.post-26935657899691428212007-06-14T13:04:00.000-07:002007-06-14T13:04:00.000-07:00Hi, I'm working with the Alliance of Automobile Ma...Hi, I'm working with the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers and this bill is getting out of control. I just wanted to add that the proposed increase in fuel economy standards would limit consumer choice and raise the sticker price for autos. Not good for you and me but think about the small businesses that depend on smaller trucks and minivans for their livelihood. We need to fight this thing. more info is available at <A HREF="http://www.drivecongress.com" REL="nofollow">DriveCongress.com.</A>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com