Page 20 - THE SOUTH CHINA BUSINESS JOURNAL
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C. TODAY
Opportunities Abound to
Build a Cleaner, Stronger
Transportation System
By Dan Byers
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Earlier this month, the U.S. Chamber of made—passenger vehicle fuel economy has
Commerce announced an important new improved almost every year since 2005, and new
campaign for 2021—“Build by the Fourth of July,” cars are 98-99% cleaner for most tailpipe pollutants
which, as the name implies, calls on Congress to compared to the 1960s—challenges remain, as the
pass comprehensive infrastructure legislation into transportation sector now represents the largest
law by July 4th, 2021. This effort includes more source of emissions since surpassing the power
than 220 organizations, including major voices from sector in 2016, according to the Energy Information
business, labor and environmental groups. We Administration.
hope that this unified message will provide critical
momentum to finally pass a historic infrastructure Tackling this challenge will not be easy. Emissions
bill that the country sorely needs. from transportation are diverse and complex,
originating not just from gasoline-powered
In our view, a successful “BB4J” effort must be passenger vehicles but diesel-powered medium- and
comprehensive, addressing not only crumbling heavy-duty vehicles, airplanes, rail, ships, and boats.
roads, bridges, and transit, but many other Each of these sectors are capital intensive with
components of U.S. infrastructure, and do so in a long planning horizons. Fleet turnover is generally
manner that aids economic recovery and accelerates slow, and balancing unpredictable technological
environmental progress of recent decades. As and market factors is difficult. Because of this,
the pledge states, “As a nation we must be able regulatory certainty is paramount, particularly in
to build big things promptly to accelerate the the automotive sector.
economic recovery and build the resilient low-
carbon economy of the future. We need a durable The U.S. Chamber’s Global Energy Institute
commitment and clear strategy.” examined these challenges facing the auto sector
in a 2019 report, Divided Highway, the findings of
A central component of this will surely be a which remain just as relevant today. The report
set of policies designed to advance a cleaner, highlights the importance of a workable path
stronger transportation system—not just the forward on vehicle fuel economy and greenhouse
roads and bridges that are the foundation of gas standards that provide regulatory certainty,
America’s infrastructure, but the vehicles and continue progress on mileage and emissions
enabling systems that are necessary to modernize reductions, and preserve the unified national
transportation in America. program for vehicle sales.
With respect to carbon emissions, the As we transition into a new Congress and new
transportation sector is of growing interest and presidential administration, opportunities to
importance. While immense progress has been advance these principles in a comprehensive and
17 AMCHAM SOUTH CHINA
Opportunities Abound to
Build a Cleaner, Stronger
Transportation System
By Dan Byers
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Earlier this month, the U.S. Chamber of made—passenger vehicle fuel economy has
Commerce announced an important new improved almost every year since 2005, and new
campaign for 2021—“Build by the Fourth of July,” cars are 98-99% cleaner for most tailpipe pollutants
which, as the name implies, calls on Congress to compared to the 1960s—challenges remain, as the
pass comprehensive infrastructure legislation into transportation sector now represents the largest
law by July 4th, 2021. This effort includes more source of emissions since surpassing the power
than 220 organizations, including major voices from sector in 2016, according to the Energy Information
business, labor and environmental groups. We Administration.
hope that this unified message will provide critical
momentum to finally pass a historic infrastructure Tackling this challenge will not be easy. Emissions
bill that the country sorely needs. from transportation are diverse and complex,
originating not just from gasoline-powered
In our view, a successful “BB4J” effort must be passenger vehicles but diesel-powered medium- and
comprehensive, addressing not only crumbling heavy-duty vehicles, airplanes, rail, ships, and boats.
roads, bridges, and transit, but many other Each of these sectors are capital intensive with
components of U.S. infrastructure, and do so in a long planning horizons. Fleet turnover is generally
manner that aids economic recovery and accelerates slow, and balancing unpredictable technological
environmental progress of recent decades. As and market factors is difficult. Because of this,
the pledge states, “As a nation we must be able regulatory certainty is paramount, particularly in
to build big things promptly to accelerate the the automotive sector.
economic recovery and build the resilient low-
carbon economy of the future. We need a durable The U.S. Chamber’s Global Energy Institute
commitment and clear strategy.” examined these challenges facing the auto sector
in a 2019 report, Divided Highway, the findings of
A central component of this will surely be a which remain just as relevant today. The report
set of policies designed to advance a cleaner, highlights the importance of a workable path
stronger transportation system—not just the forward on vehicle fuel economy and greenhouse
roads and bridges that are the foundation of gas standards that provide regulatory certainty,
America’s infrastructure, but the vehicles and continue progress on mileage and emissions
enabling systems that are necessary to modernize reductions, and preserve the unified national
transportation in America. program for vehicle sales.
With respect to carbon emissions, the As we transition into a new Congress and new
transportation sector is of growing interest and presidential administration, opportunities to
importance. While immense progress has been advance these principles in a comprehensive and
17 AMCHAM SOUTH CHINA
