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Energy Literacy Advocates Newsroom

Energy Literacy Advocates (ELA) is a non-partisan, non-profit, public education and advocacy group dedicated to improving the energy literacy of all sectors of our democracy in order to empower a comprehensive national energy policy that is responsible and sustainable. Stay tuned for updated energy news!

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Cash for Clunkers Ends, but Deadline for Dealers is Extended


While the Obama administration announced last week that Cash for Clunkers would end Monday night, August 24, at 8pm ET, the deadline for car dealers has been extended. Dealers will now have until today at noon (ET) to finish filing paperwork, due to a shutdown of the Department of Transportation website.


Initial numbers show that, as of Monday, 625,000 clunkers were turned in and $2.58 billion in vouchers had been sent. Final targets are 700,000 clunkers and $3 billion in vouchers. The program has proved a huge success for the automotive industry, offering an estimated 30% boost in sales.


Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood called the program a success, and reported that the new cars purchased under CFC were 60% more efficient than the clunkers traded in.


For more, click here.

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posted by Amanda Voss at 9:01 AM 0 comments

Monday, August 24, 2009

Cash for Clunkers Ends

That's right folks, today was the last day to trade in your clunker for a more fuel efficient vehicle. ELA has previously commented on the shortfalls of the Cash for Clunkers program, one of which was the short duration of the program. We needed Cash for Clunkers to be a symbol and foundation for the development and purchase of more fuel efficient vehicles for years to come. Time will tell if this might happen, but an approximately two month program seems ripe to be forgotten quickly.

This article addresses both the good and the bad of the program and is worth the read.

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posted by Jamie Lang at 3:20 PM 0 comments

Friday, August 14, 2009

Cash for Clunkers No Longer Limited to Inventories

Today the Secretary of Transportation allowed Cash for Clunkers vouchers to be used for cars that are not in stock at dealerships. In other words the vouchers can be used to order a qualifying car of choice.

Energy Literacy Advocates has previously commented on the need for lengthening the duration of the clunkers program in order to allow for a change in mindset to producing and driving more fuel efficient vehicles. Clearly the ability to order cars still falls far short of this goal, but at least it is a step in the right direction.

To read more about using vouchers to order a vehicle click here.

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posted by Jamie Lang at 2:13 PM 0 comments

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

US Fuel Efficiency Made Marked Gains in July


The average fuel economy for vehicles sold jumped in July, raising from 21.4 miles per gallon to 22.1. This represents the largest gain in fuel efficiency since the new configuration of mileage estimates were issued in 2007.


The study reporting the jump attributed much of the credit to the cash for clunkers program. The jump in fuel efficiency is counter to the trend of lower gas prices, which typically encourage the purchase of less efficient vehicles.


To read more, click here.

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posted by Amanda Voss at 9:49 AM 0 comments

Monday, August 10, 2009

More Cash for "Clunkers" Approved

The Senate voted Thursday, August 6, to approve and pass a measure giving additional funding to the Cash for Clunkers, or CARS, program. The funds are expected to last until Labor Day.

For a report on the roll call vote, click here.

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posted by Amanda Voss at 10:17 AM 0 comments

Friday, August 7, 2009

Cash for Clunkers Renewed

That's right, the government has approved an additional $2 Billion for the Cash for Clunkers program. Energy Literacy previously commented on the original legislation in several blog posts, the jist of which is that the program missed several key components to ensure the economic stimulus objective was complimented with a fleet increase in fuel efficiency objective.

For some interesting stories on citizens using the Cash for Clunkers program click here.

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posted by Jamie Lang at 12:47 PM 0 comments

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Senate to Vote Today on Cash For Clunkers Funding


The Senate will vote today on whether or not to refuel the Cash for Clunkers, or CARS, program with $2 billion in additional funding. It is estimated that the new funding will last until Labor Day.


The funding bill faces several amendments, including one limiting vouchers to individuals with incomes under $50,000 annually.


Data from the first week of the program reveals that the Toyota Corolla was the number one seller, beating out the Ford Focus.


For more, click here.

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posted by Amanda Voss at 10:27 AM 0 comments

Monday, August 3, 2009

Clunkers Debate Continues in Senate

"Cash for Clunkers" or CARS faces an uphill battle in the Senate to receive funding approval before August recess.

CARS needs a unanimous vote in the Senate to secure funding this week.

CARS, a government program issuing vouchers of up to $4500 for the trade-in of a "gas guzzler" for a fuel efficient vehicle, ran out of funding after only one week. The House approved additional funding for the program, which now faces a Senate vote.

For more, click here.

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posted by Amanda Voss at 11:14 AM 0 comments

Friday, July 31, 2009

Clunkers Program Runnning Out of Cash


The "cash for clunkers" program, officially labeled as the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS), has almost run through available funds after only a week. The program was originally scheduled to run to November 1, 2009.


Several proposals, including reallocating energy program money already approved in the federal stimulus bill, are currently under consideration in the House.


The program created a jump in car sales, with dealers like AutoNation reporting a 36% rise in sales. Many dealers and buyers are waiting to see how the government resolves the funding situation.


To read more, click here.

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posted by Amanda Voss at 8:35 AM 1 comments

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