Greener Pastures Ahead?

It's looking greener since the Senate passed the new energy bill that ups the CAFE standards for fleets to an average 35 mpg by 2020. The question remaining is whether it'll make it through the House of Representatives and past the President's red pen. Congress is supposed to represent the voice of the people ... and face it, folks are asking for more fuel-efficient choices from their auto manufacturers. While clean diesels are significantly more expensive to produce than a gasoline engine, when mated with a hybrid system, could actually churn out some fuel mileage in the mid-thirties--and that's a far cry from the 13 to 17 mpg numbers that big fuel-suckin' V-8s are known for today.

Isn't it in our best interests to plan well today, yet look to the future with wisdom? Don't our children and their grand children deserve more fuel-efficient, cleaner transportation choices? Not to mention fresh air to breathe with forests and a clean earth intact?

Let your local representatives know how you'd like them to vote when they're representing your voice, and check out what you can do to make the switch to alternative fuels. It just might be easier than you think.

fuel pump in the swamp - photo courtesy nisi* - flickr