incorporated into most smart meters.
■ Concerns about the radio frequency (RF) emissions from smart meters.RELEVANT LAW
ENERGY INDEPENDENCE AND SECURITY ACT OF 2007: Originally
named the Clean Energy Act, it is designed to move the United States toward
greater energy independence and security; to increase the production of clean
renewable fuels; to protect consumers; to increase the efficiency of products,
buildings, and vehicles; to promote research on and deploy greenhouse gas
capture and storage options; and to improve the energy performance of the
federal government. The act focuses on automobile fuel economy, the
development of biofuels, and energy efficiency in public buildings.TRANSPORTATION
CAFE Standards
Transportation needs are a major factor for petroleum consumption in the United
States, with this sector of energy consumption increasing faster than any other
sector (about 2% growth per year). First enacted by the United States Congress
in 1975 after the 1973–1974 Arab oil embargo, the Corporate Average Fuel
Economy (CAFE) standards are regulations in the United States that are
designed to improve the average fuel economy of cars and light trucks (trucks,
vans, and sport utility vehicles) produced for sale in the United States. It is
estimated that CAFE standards result in savings of over 55 billion gallons (210
billion L) of fuel annually, with a substantial reduction in carbon dioxide
emissions of approximately 10%.
CAFE standards are achieved through better engine design, efficiency, and
weight reduction. Significant improvements in fuel mileage could be achieved
by expanding CAFE standards to include:
■ Automobile designs that reduce air resistance and friction (streamlining)
■ Reduced tire-rolling resistance
■ Engine improvements, especially transitioning to a hybrid technology
■ Optimized transmission improvements