Renewable Energy Rises 27% Since Obama Took Office, But Clean Car Policy Isn’t Working

Since President Obama entered office three years ago, renewable energy production in the US has climbed 26.9%, according to the Energy Information Agency’s (EIA) latest “Monthly Energy Review.”

For the three years ending November 30, 2011, domestic oil production has also risen, by 13.7%, natural gas production grew 13.4%, nuclear power decreased by 2.8% and coal production plummeted by 7.3%.

For the first 11 months of 2011, renewables accounted for 11.76% of domestic energy production, up from 10.83% for the same period in 2010.

In terms of actual production, renewables rose 13.4% in 2011, with hydropower supplying 34.9%, followed by biomass (26.6%), biofuels (22.0%), wind (12.7%), geothermal (2.4%), and solar (1.3%).

Federal Clean Car Policy Isn’t Working

Last February, President Obama issued a Presidential Memorandum ordering federal agencies to develop guidelines for 100% purchasing of alternative fueled passenger vehicles and light-duty trucks by 2015. It’s part of his plan for getting a million electric cars on the road by then to wean the US off fossil fuel and address climate change.

But so far, it isn’t working. Instead of buying hybrids and electric cars, they’re buying “flex fuel” cars that can run on E85 – 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. Flex Fuel vehicles are included in the definition of “alternative fueled” vehicles.

Automakers have used that trick for years – to meet standards that require higher fuel economy, they made more cars “flex fuel,” which costs practically nothing compared to manufacturing advanced vehicles.  Continue reading more…