Monday, 08/18/2008 Print Version | Email / Share
Governor Joins Automobile Alliance to Launch EcoDriving Program
DAVE
MCCURDY:
Governor Schwarzenegger is
the 38th governor of California and, because of the press of business,
he is joining us via video conference in California. But it is certainly a pleasure and an
honor to have him participating and with that, let me introduce Governor Arnold
Schwarzenegger. (Applause)
GOVERNOR
SCHWARZENEGGER:
Well, thank you very much,
Governor Ritter, for the wonderful introduction to the Alliance of Automobile
Manufacturers and all the VIPs that are there. I'm very sorry that I could not
join you in person but, as you know, California's budget is more than a month overdue
and I'm working very hard to break the deadlock here in our
legislature.
And, on top of that, I have
another excuse, which is I just had knee surgery on Saturday-- I had my meniscus
torn -- and so the doctor told me I should not travel today.
But anyway, when it comes to
the budget problems that we have in California, you don't have those same problems
because you already have a spending limit in Colorado and you have a rainy day fund and all
the kind of things we don't have. But we are going to get it this time, trust
me.
Nevertheless, I am thrilled
to join Governor Ritter to launch EcoDriving in our states. You know, we hear a
lot of ideas from politicians about lowering our gas prices and fighting global
warming, whether it is through biofuels or offshore drilling or renewables or
nuclear power. And I'm glad that they're talking all of those things, because we
face unprecedented challenges from climate change and high energy prices. But
anyone that tells you that this will bring down our gas prices anytime soon is
blowing smoke.
Since taking office I have
been talking about America's need for innovation and new fuel
choices as part of our comprehensive energy policy that will help consumers long
term. Now, remember, long term. But when it comes to helping families balance
their checkbooks right now, the politicians in
Washington aren't going to save us. No, not at all.
They're too busy squabbling and taking sides against each other instead of
listening to those who really need their help.
So Governor Ritter and I, we
are here today to side with the people and to help them save at the pump
immediately with the help of our new EcoDriving campaign, consumers don't have
to wait for politicians or worry about living in a red state or in a blue state.
No, instead they can live and drive in their own green state. In fact, just by
following the recommendations of this fantastic website you can get 15 percent
savings and better mileage for your car.
Now, what I'm talking about
here is people power. Just look at the last month. A barrel of oil was $150. Now
it is down to $113. Why? Because the people started driving less. That is people
power. And here are some additional simple things that I will recommend, like
proper tire pressure or avoiding rapid starts and stops or keeping your engines
tuned up.
Now, there is no substitute,
of course, when it comes to long-term energy policies. But this provides
immediate, tangible relief for high gas prices right now. That's what this is
all about. The EcoDriving website also allows you to enter your information so
that you can see the amount of money and emissions that you can save, because
whether it is a bodyweight, money or greenhouse gases, what you monitor you
manage. That's the bottom line.
Now, every great movement in
history has started at the grassroots level and now every person who gets behind
the wheel of a car can join us in this ecodriving revolution. If all Americans
practiced ecodriving the reduction in CO2 emissions would be an equivalent of
heating and powering nearly eight cities the size of
Los
Angeles, or take 40 million cars off the road.
Think about that. Now, that's without waiting for one single politician. With
ecodriving you can make the difference, you can take action. You have the power
to make America greener, to make your gas bills smaller.
So I encourage everyone across the nation, every single person, to join our
cause and to start the ecodriving revolution.
So thank you very much for
listening to me and now I would like to introduce my partner. I'm talking about
the great Bill Ritter. By the way, Ritter in German means knight, someone that
fights. And of course, there's no one that fights harder against greenhouse gas
emissions than our Governor Bill Ritter. So now, ladies and gentlemen, let's
hear a few words from him. (Applause)
