US Senate climate bill seeks airplane emissions cuts

[Joanne98]

Source: Reuters

WASHINGTON, Sept 29 (Reuters) - Commercial airlines would have to fly new planes that emit fewer greenhouse gas emissions under a U.S. Senate climate change bill that is set to be introduced on Wednesday.
The legislation would require the government to write standards "applicable to emissions of greenhouse gases from new aircraft and new engines used in aircraft by December 31, 2012," according to a draft copy of the bill obtained by Reuters.

The Environmental Protection Agency would consult with the Federal Aviation Administration in setting the aircraft emissions standards, according to the bill.

To make sure aircraft and engine makers could meet the emissions goals, the government would be required to consider the technology that will be available at the time the standards take effect and it must consider the "cost, energy, and safety factors associated with the application of such technology."

Manufacturers like General Electric Co (GE.N) have been producing more fuel efficient and cleaner burning engines for the newest aircraft.


Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idUSN2917127520090929

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And get rid of the chemtrails too!

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

1. Not that I'm anti-green...

but mandating airlines that were, until recently, nearly insolvent might not be the best thing for that part of the business sector.

[bbinacan]

2. You make a valid point. n/t

[Nihil]

5. There's more than one way to skin a cat ...

... and as cutting down the number of "bargain bucket" operators will
also cut the total emissions, I'm in favour of it.

:shrug:

[Imajika]

7. So only rich people....

...should be able to afford to fly?

Cutting out low fare, affordable travel options in the name of the environment kinda hurts low to mid income folks without even so much as inconveniencing the wealthy doesn't it?

Pretty sure the majority of American's aren't going to be too happy if this the direction new environmental legislation is going...

[Nihil]

8. Nice way to miss the point

I can't recall which constitutional amendment guarantees everyone
access to cheap flights but I'm sure someone will point it out as
being a vital part of the "American Way Of Life" (tm) which, as
everyone knows, is *not* negotiable ...

:eyes:

There are several more sensible views of this issue if you care
to be interested.

One was pointed out downthread: it is a fairly blatant handout to
a certain US manufacturer - hardly veiled for modesty but with the
implicit "or else" to encourage them to keep at it. If that's what
it takes, go for it.

A second is to note that air-travel is currently so subsidised that
it has bubbled (again) and that bubble is due to pop anyway. Why keep
a dead body on life-support (especially when you could really use those
funds for a genuine health service ... but I suppose the "right" to
consume outweighs the "privilege" of health-care).

The third is to acknowledge that by taxing *everyone* then *everyone*
will start to become aware of the impact of their actions (in that
respect at least). Yes, it will have a greater effect on people with
less disposable income but that is true of practically every tax on
this planet (i.e., except for the specific high-income tax brackets
that most governments shy away from imposing).

> Pretty sure the majority of American's aren't going to be too happy
> if this the direction new environmental legislation is going...

Well maybe it's about time that "the majority of American's" (sic)
woke up to the real world.

[DissedByBush]

3. Under the table prop for Boeing?

That 787 is about the most efficient thing coming. Set the cap around the 787's level and that'll steer airlines straight to Boeing and away from Airbus.

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

4. Nothing greener than a plane that can't fly

[DissedByBush]

6. It should fly this year

Delays are expected when you are doing something this revolutionary.

They didn't just take a current model and make it bigger or lighter or a little more efficient.

They started from scratch with an idea of doing things nobody's done before. That level of carbon fiber is pushing technology as it is.

[One_Life_To_Give]

9. Not quite like regulating cars

Takes much, much longer to Certify new planes and engines than it does for auto's. Hope the politicians were able to take that into account.