Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[SAE 2009: Govs. Granholm and Schwarzenegger talk green mobility]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/20/sae-2009-govs-granholm-and-schwarzenegger-talk-green-mobility/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/20/sae-2009-govs-granholm-and-schwarzenegger-talk-green-mobility/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/20/sae-2009-govs-granholm-and-schwarzenegger-talk-green-mobility/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above to read more about the Governors' opening talk at SAE 2009

The 2009 SAE World Congress kicked off this morning with a free-form, Michigan-first presentation by Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm and then an interview-style talk by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who arrived over an hour late. Still, Arnold managed to work in some famous lines by first claiming that the car industry is currently saying, "I'll be back" (cue the crowd's knowing laugh) then segueing into a short list of classic one-liners. This seemed to get everyone back on his side.

Most of the presentation was fairly serious, though, with Governor Schwarzenegger saying it is "embarrassing" that the U.S. only generates 2.8 percent of its energy from renewables. On the California waiver issue, Schwarzenegger said that the entire country should have the same regulations (something that CARB's Mary Nichols has also hinted at). He said he believes very strongly that there should be one fuel standard, and California only took the lead because Washington was not stepping up to the plate. Detroit has been slow in advancing alternative power vehicles, he said, but the blame needs to be shared by both the auto industry here and the lack of leadership in Washington. "We cannot make policy based on the oil price," he said.

You can listen to both talks and read much more after the jump.

Continue reading SAE 2009: Govs. Granholm and Schwarzenegger talk green mobility

SAE 2009: Govs. Granholm and Schwarzenegger talk green mobility originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 Apr 2009 13:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>governorgovernor granholmgovernor schwarzeneggerGovernorGranholmGovernorSchwarzeneggergranholmhigh speed railHighSpeedRailSAESAE 2009Sae2009SchwarzeneggerMon, 20 Apr 2009 13:19:00 EST<![CDATA[Greenwashing? Governator looks to have gotten himself a new Dodge Challenger SRT8]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/30/greenwashing-governator-looks-to-have-got-himself-a-new-dodge-c/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/30/greenwashing-governator-looks-to-have-got-himself-a-new-dodge-c/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/30/greenwashing-governator-looks-to-have-got-himself-a-new-dodge-c/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



It is well known that California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has had a very public change of heart when it comes to seeking out a greener lifestyle. Heck, he's gone from owning the very first civilian AM General HMMWV to talking up green environmental initiatives and start-ups like Tesla. He's even taken delivery of one of the company's Roadsters.

Fitting in the car, however, is apparently proving to be a bit of a challenge for the bodybuilder/actor formerly known as Conan, so word is that he's trying to return it to Tesla. What he might have slotted in the garage in the space of that Tesla? If TMZ's paparazzi video footage at the link is to be believed, the answer is a TorRed Dodge Challenger with all the trimmings. A little lighter on the green credentials, sure, but it's not black, it's not hard to get into, and it makes all the right noises for the man character who said the best things in life are "to crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of their women."

[Source: TMZ]

Greenwashing? Governator looks to have gotten himself a new Dodge Challenger SRT8 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Mar 2009 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AM GeneralAmGeneralarnold schwarzeneggerArnoldSchwarzeneggercaliforniacelebritiesdodgeetcgovernatorgovernmentHMMWVhummerhumorpaparazzischwarzeneggertmzMon, 30 Mar 2009 08:29:00 EST<![CDATA[California legislature passes budget with a $0.39 per gallon gas "user fee"]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/25/california-legislature-passes-buget-with-a-0-39-per-gallon-gas/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/25/california-legislature-passes-buget-with-a-0-39-per-gallon-gas/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/25/california-legislature-passes-buget-with-a-0-39-per-gallon-gas/#commentsFiled under: ,

California hasn't been able to borrow money for months, and according to the state's treasurer, it will run out of money in February or March if it doesn't pass a budget and get some income flowing. The majority Democratic legislature has sent Governor Schwarzenegger a budget that contains a suite of "revenue enhancements" that the Democrats call fees, not taxes. In addition to a jump in the state sales tax and personal income tax, there's also a provision to apply a per gallon gas "fee" of 39 cents.

The biggest problem with the proposed budget is the way in which it was passed, which relies on the definition of the word "tax". Democrats used a simple majority vote to pass the proposed budget, instead of the mandatory 2/3 majority needed to pass new taxes, because they say "it does not technically increase the amount of taxes on Californians." For instance, because the gas "fee" would be set aside for transportation projects only, it isn't a tax, it's a user fee, and so it doesn't require a 2/3 majority vote.

Call it what you want, Californians would be paying more money, so Republicans have vowed not to support what they call increased taxes. Citizen's groups have also promised to sue the state if Schwarzenegger signs the proposed budget as is. The other problem is that Schwarzenegger has already vowed to veto it, but not over the tax vs. fee issue. He said he'll let other people sort that out - what he really wants are bigger cuts in spending before he'll approve anything. The budget discussions resume on Friday as lawmakers work to have something done by year's end. Thanks for the tip, Fed!

[Source: Yahoo!]

California legislature passes budget with a $0.39 per gallon gas "user fee" originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 25 Dec 2008 21:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>budgetbudget deficitBudgetDeficitcaliforniacalifornia legislatureCaliforniaLegislaturefeesgas taxGasTaxschwarzeneggertaxesThu, 25 Dec 2008 21:01:00 EST<![CDATA[LA Auto Show: Gov. Schwarzenegger stumps for green vehicles in L.A.]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/30/la-auto-show-schwarzenegger-adresses-auto-press/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/30/la-auto-show-schwarzenegger-adresses-auto-press/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/30/la-auto-show-schwarzenegger-adresses-auto-press/#commentsFiled under: ,



California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger took advantage of the assembled press at the LA Auto Show to list his environmental achievements. He also had his picture taken next to five of the greenest vehicles from the show, including the BMW Hydrogen 7, Mercedes-Benz E320 Bluetec, Chevy Tahoe with E85 flex-fuel capability, Honda FCX fuel cell concept and Tesla Roadster. Schwarzenegger called on the car companies to "think beyond gasoline and deliver cleaner, more efficient cars," and warned them, "you need to get on board, the train has left."

You can watch the full address above or follow the Read link to AutoblogGreen to get the rest of the scoop on Auhnuld rocking the podium in L.A. on behalf of green vehicles.

LA Auto Show: Gov. Schwarzenegger stumps for green vehicles in L.A. originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Nov 2006 16:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>governorgreenl.a.schwarzeneggerThu, 30 Nov 2006 16:10:00 EST