Rahmbo Will Fight For Electric and Hybrid Cars
January 26, 2009 by admin
Obama’s White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel is well known for his “take no prisoners” approach to politics and business—earning him the nickname “Rahmbo”. He is also a very strong supporter of hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and cars running on compressed natural gas.
He could emerge as the country’s most ardent, powerful and effective advocate for swift action regarding fuel-efficient gas-electric vehicles.
In 2005, while representing Illinois in the US House of Representatives, Emanuel introduced the American Hybrid Tax Credit Act to increase tax credits for consumers buying hybrid vehicles. In 2008, he sponsored legislation to mandate automakers to build 10 percent of their fleet with natural gas vehicles by 2018. Neither bill became law due to partisan voting by both sides of the house.
Considering growing support of hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles, the fact that Emanuel has President Obama’s ear and as White House Chief of Staff, he is in a very strong position to push that agenda.
Emanuel’s beliefs about hybrid cars can be found in his 2006 book, “The Plan.” The book, co-authored with Bruce Reed, was republished in 2008 without revision. Here is excerpt:
“We will never end our addiction to oil until we overcome our addiction to old policies. We need a comprehensive, forward-thinking energy policy based on efficiency and innovation.
“We should break our oil habit and save our auto industry in the bargain by ushering in a Hybrid Economy that can cut America’s gasoline consumption in half over the next decade. Detroit is on the ropes for a host of reasons, from high health care costs to corporate bad judgment. But the biggest looming threat to its survival may be Japan’s massive lead in developing hybrid-powered engines…”
Emanuel also expresses his belief that government-sponsored research into low-emission engines would create millions of new high-wage jobs. Something that is completely on-message with the ‘Green Jobs’ mantra that is part of the Obama campaign and now his presidency.
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