Today, GOP presidential contender John McCain visited the General Motors Technical Center in Warren, Mich., where GM is developing the Chevy Volt, and used the visit to talk up his plan for the automotive sector.
In the same speech, he argued that states should be able to determine their own fuel efficiency standards. California and 16 other states have been pushing for a waiver to allow them to establish their own, tougher standards for cars and trucks, which the Bush administration denied them last December.
"It's hard for me to tell states that they can't impose whatever standards they decide to impose," McCain said.
The auto industry strongly opposes state-by-state regulations, preferring instead a single, national standard.
McCain also highlighted his "Clean Car Challenge" to spur the creation of zero emission cars. He pledges to "commit a $5,000 tax credit for each and every customer who buys a zero carbon emission car." He also called for additional tax credits for other low-emissions vehicles -- the lower the emissions, the higher the tax credit.
He touted his proposal to offer a $300 million prize for the development of a better, cheaper battery for plug-in hybrids and electric cars. The battery "should deliver a power source at 30 percent of the current costs."
McCain also called for a more rapid transition to flex-fuel vehicles, though he didn't elaborate on how to spur that transition, and the need to transition to second-generation alcohol-based fuels that don't compete with food crops.
Earlier this week, GM announced that they are making cuts, borrowing money, and selling assets in order to raise $15 billion to get them through the current economic slump. Their sales fell 16 percent for the first half of this year. Truck sales are down 21 percent, and car sales are down almost 9 percent.
Obama was also on the subject of the automobile industry today, sending a letter (PDF) to United Auto Workers promoting his plan to create a $150 billion fund to invest clean energy and worker training programs.
"My heart goes out to all the workers and families in Michigan and across the country who have been affected by turbulence in the auto industry over the years – including those who learned just this week of further job cuts," wrote Obama. "You deserve a leader in the White House who not only understands the difficulties you and your families face, but who will stand up for you every single day. That's exactly what I'll do as your president."
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Comments
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alphaniner Posted 6:45 pm
18 Jul 2008
What you say and what you do seem to be polar opposites these days. Why should we believe you? Fool me once, shame on you...
Not that McCain is any better.
"He touted his proposal to offer a $300 million prize for the development of a better, cheaper battery for plug-in hybrids and electric cars."
Because natural market forces won't take care of this anyway AmIRight?
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racc Posted 12:34 am
19 Jul 2008
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Delay And Deny Posted 4:04 am
19 Jul 2008
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Baa Posted 11:24 am
19 Jul 2008
Obama is the Advent (Could be a child molester for all I know, or kill anyone who doesn't believe his way, he DID go to "UNITY" church, afterall).
...Who the f... is Trader Emergency Coalition?
(Who the f... is Alice?)
If it were Hillary then this would be the next Big Red (like the soda) China, under which stars and where would the iron curtain fall and how many would die in the meat grinder?
___ Write In Worthwhile Person Here, and Demand A F...... receipt in-hand while you are at it, since they track what you vote regardless.
PRECAUTION/WARNING: The air wick on the dehumidifier causes static electricity, especially when a fabric softener sheet overlaps.
. (That means PERIOD)
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