Fuel standards just one step in dealing with climate change

NUPGE wants Ottawa to focus on five major areas

Ottawa (22 Jan. 2008) - The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) welcomes federal fuel efficiency standards but it is urging the Harper government to adopt a much more comprehensive approach to climate change.

Dealing effectively with climate crisis will require far more than stronger fuel standards, NUPGE believes.

"We've proposed that the federal government focus on five major areas: national energy efficiency standards, a green power grid, slowing oil sands development, a just transition strategy and hard caps on emissions," the union says.

Last week Transport Minister Lawrence Cannon announced plans to implement a so-called “Made-in-Canada” policy on fuel standards for cars following a 60-day consultation process. He indicated that he favours a new standard announced by Washington but has said a final decision will not be announced until after consultations conclude.

The Bush administration has endorsed a fuel standard goal of 35 miles per gallon by 2020. However, the state of California favours a more aggressive standard. It is asking automakers to exceed 40 miles per gallon by the same date.

NUPGE supports standards that maximize environmental and economic benefits for all Canadians.

In the union's recent publication Go Green Now: Top 5 Ways to Get Government to Confront the Climate Crisis, the priority focuses on national energy standards in which fuel efficiency requirements are clearly an essential part.

John Bennett of ClimateForChange.ca says the minimum Canada should adopt is the standard announced by California.

“If the government truly wants to ‘maximize’ the benefits for Canadians, the weaker U.S. federal standards just won’t do it," Bennett says. "Choosing (this option) would be a broken promise that will cost Canadians drivers billions over the next decade in extra fuel costs, and will needlessly permit more car pollution."

To order any of NUPGE's series of Climate Change IQ: E-mail national@nupge.ca

(Published as n22ja08a.htm)