"Policy Options for Reducing Oil Consumption and Greenhouse-Gas Emissions from the U.S. Transportation Sector"

ETIP Discussion Paper

Discussion Paper, Energy Technology Innovation Policy research group, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs

Summer 2007

Authors: Kelly Sims Gallagher, Director, Energy Technology Innovation Policy, Gustavo Collantes, Research Fellow, Energy Technology Innovation Policy, John P. Holdren, Director and Faculty Chair, Science, Technology and Public Policy Program, Henry Lee, Director, Environment and Natural Resources Program, Robert Frosch, Senior Associate, Science, Technology, and Public Policy Program

Belfer Center Programs or Projects: Energy Technology Innovation Policy; Environment and Natural Resources; Science, Technology, and Public Policy

OVERVIEW

The goal of this discussion paper is to contribute to the current policy debate about how to effectively limit or reduce oil consumption and greenhouse-gas emissions from the U.S. transportation sector.  The paper explains what is wrong with the status quo and therefore why new policies are needed.  It examines special policy challenges in this domain, and analyzes the pros and cons of individual policy measures.  Finally, the paper explores the probable overall effects of several illustrative policy packages. 

Policies outlined include:

• Fuel-economy standards
• Greenhouse gas performance standards for vehicles and for fuels
• Volumetric requirements for biofuels
• Carbon tax on transportation fuels
• Economy-wide greenhouse gas cap-and-trade program
• Transportation sector cap-and-trade program
• Transportation fuels cap-and-trade program
• Feebates
• Tariffs on imported fuels and vehicles
• Research, development, and demonstration in advanced transportation technologies
• Tax incentives and government purchasing

A white paper will be issued in early fall 2007 that will provide a new proposal for addressing oil security and climate change in the U.S. transportation sector, taking into account comments received on the content of this discussion paper.  

This paper is one product of ETIP's Innovation in Transportation project.

For more information about this publication please contact the ETIP Coordinator at 617-496-5584.

For Academic Citation:
Gallagher, Kelly Sims, Gustavo Collantes, John P. Holdren, Henry Lee, and Robert Frosch. "Policy Options for Reducing Oil Consumption and Greenhouse-Gas Emissions from the U.S. Transportation Sector." ETIP Discussion Paper. Cambridge, Mass.: Energy Technology Innovation Policy research group, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Summer 2007.

Document Length: 42 pp.