May 2006

The Ecology Center welcomes you to its Green Machines Tour e-newsletter, providing updates of tour events and other news about fuel-efficient, union-made vehicle technologies produced here in the U.S. We invite you to forward the e-newsletter to your friends and colleagues, who can also sign-up to receive future e-newsletters at: www.greenmachinestour.org/list.shtm

The Green Machines Tour was recently in Minnesota to support UAW Local 879's efforts to save the Ford Twin Cities Assembly plant. With slipping sales of the Ranger, and a likely shut down of the plant in coming years, the local suggests that Ford save the plant by investing in advanced technologies - such as flex-fuel Rangers. Local President Rob McKenzie and Health and Safety Rep Lynn Hinkle suggest that the environmental features of the plant, including it's own hydro-power facility and efficient work schedule, make it an ideal location for production of a fuel-efficient vehicle.

Read more: http://www.greenmachinestour.org/minnesota.shtml
Take Action: Voice your support for Local 879's proposal!

The Green Machines Tour recently participated in the Powershift 2006 conference alongside former CIA director James Woolsey, the UAW, NRDC, and other groups. The event drew a broad audience, including students and community members, and included panel discussions and workshops that focused on rising gas prices, global warming, alternative fuels, new automobile technologies, fuel efficiency and smart growth.

Read more in the Kalamazoo Gazette: http://www.power-shift.org/press_coverage_Kalamazoo.html
Learn more about Powershift: http://www.power-shift.org/index.html

POLICY NEWS

The Level Field Institute - a new grassroots organization founded by retirees of Ford, GM and Chrysler - recently launched its campaign to educate the public about the ways in which domestic auto companies contribute to the U.S. economy. The Institute's website includes information on domestic content of vehicles, employment rates of foreign and domestic companies, and more.

Learn more: http://www.levelfieldinstitute.org/

Democrats Unveil New Energy Bills
Initiatives seek energy security through innovation

Senate and House Democrats both revealed bold new energy bills that would help transform America’s energy policy and reduce oil imports. In the Senate, the "Clean EDGE" bill seeks to increase innovation and investment in biofuels, and level the playing field for new clean energy technologies. It provides incentives for auto manufacturers to speed up development of advanced fuel efficiency technologies, and requires increased production of flex fuel vehicles. The legislation is supported by a broad coalition of labor and environmental organizations, including the Apollo Alliance, NRDC and the UAW. In the House, the "Energizing America" bill promotes American-made biofuels, expanded market distribution, and incentives for small, local farmers to produce biofuel crops.

Read more: http://www.greenmachinestour.org/cleanedgebill.shtml

Senator Clinton introduced legislation this week to create a "Strategic Energy Fund" that would eliminate oil company tax breaks and place a temporary fee on major oil company profits. It would use this revenue to fund research and development in biofuel production. The legislation would also put more efficient vehicles on the road by doubling the consumer tax breaks for hybrids, clean diesel, and other advanced vehicles, and by creating tax incentives for fleet owners to purchase more efficient vehicles. In her speech to the National Press Club Senator Clinton also voiced support for addressing the joint concerns of more fuel-efficient vehicles and making the domestic industry more competitive.

Read more: http://www.greenmachinestour.org/hillary.shtml

President Bush asked Congress to give his administration authority to reform the car Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standard. Several environmental groups and the UAW opposed the legislation during its first hearing in the House's Energy and Commerce Committee on the grounds that the bill does not include anti-backsliding provisions. Currently, car CAFE rules mandate that both the domestic and foreign components of a manufacturer's fleet achieve the same fuel economy. An anti-backsliding provision would require that fuel economy does not actually decrease under a new set of rules, as well as ensure that small cars continue to be produced in North America. According to the UAW, without such a provision, the legislation "...could aggravate the uneven playing field that currently exists between foreign and domestic auto manufactures."

Download UAW's testimony: http://www.greenmachinestour.org/UAWCAFEtestimony.pdf
Read more in the Detroit News: http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?

During a recent speech at the Detroit Economic Club, Senator Levin spoke about the need for a new Apollo program that would encourage the production of alternative fuel vehicles and other leap-ahead technologies that would boost the domestic auto industry and help end dependence on imported oil. Levin suggested that tax credits are needed in order for domestic companies to afford the costs of developing these advanced technologies. He also outlined a strategy for leveling the playing field for automakers, which includes reforming tariffs and trade rules, and reducing legacy health care costs.

Read his speach: http://www.levin.senate.gov/newsroom/release.cfm?id=254989

TECHNOLOGY NEWS

GM recently announced that it will renovate its Ohio Transmission plant in Toledo to produce a six-speed automatic transmission for rear-wheel-drive vehicles. Investment in the plant will reach $500 and will secure 900 UAW organized jobs at Local 14.

Read more: http://www.greenmachinestour.org/atgm6.shtml

Another Fuel-Efficient Vehicle for Belvidere
New Jeep Patriot Features Advanced Transmissions and Engines

UAW Local 1268 in Belvidere, Illinois will soon begin production of the all-new 2007 Jeep Patriot SUV. Like the Dodge Caliber and Jeep Compass that are produced at the same plant, the Patriot will feature GEMA World Engines with dual-VVT, and will have a CVT option. DaimlerChrysler recently invested $419 million in the plant to renovate it for the new vehicles. Total production at the plant is expected to be near 400,000 vehicles per year. DaimlerChrysler will add 1,000 UAW jobs at the plant to support the new production..

Read more: http://www.greenmachinestour.org/actcaliber.shtml