In a special news analysis story, Gwen Ottinger takes an environmentally skeptical look not only at the federal “cash for clunkers” program, but on similar state-level programs that encourage people to swap out old appliances for new ones.
The lowdown? They’re all great economic programs, but environmentally iffy at best.
For example, the “cash for clunkers”? Why is it limited to new cars? If my budget is tight, why can’t I swap my SUV for a 2-year-old Corolla? Answer: This is an automotive bailout program, at bottom line.
Second, with new appliances, let alone cars, the manufacturing costs aren’t cheap. Fiscally or environmentally.
Third, as the “cash for clunkers” program has allowed people to buy slightly more fuel-efficient new SUVs (and none of the stories so far report how the new sales have broken out by vehicle type), so, state appliance swap-outs have led to people buying ever-bigger refrigerators.
I’m just giving you a summary; read the full piece.
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