Bloomberg's Strange Commute
New York's Mayor Mike Bloomberg is known for taking the train. He has also called for major changes in transport in New York like a congestion charge and hybrid taxis. You could say what you like about his plans for greening New York but you can't say he is not walking the talk. Or is he? The New York Times stalked him for a few weeks. He actually takes two SUVs a fourth of the time when he commutes.
He leaves them idling as they wait for him in the morning. He could walk 5 minutes to the closest train station but for some reason decides to take the SUVs. The SUVs are 2007 Flex Fuel Chevrolet Suburbans. He uses Ethanol in New York and whenever he can when he travels. Even on E85, the fuel economy for the Suburban is horrible. EPA ratings 4WD and 2WD are as low as 10 and 14 MPG for the city.
The SUVs are "selected, owned, and maintained" by the NYPD. While the mayor's staff won't confirm, I think it's a security issue. I mean, look at that thing! I think bullet proof is a standard option.
[Source: New York Times]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
vivek 9:39PM (8/01/2007)
>>"Even on E85, the fuel economy for the Suburban is horrible."
Even? Fuel economy is actually lower with E85 than with regular gasoline, in any car. That's because ethanol contains less energy by volume, ie. less energy per gallon. In fact, pure ethanol contains about two-thirds the energy of gasoline ( EIA) meaning that Suburbans probably get between 6 and 10 MPG on E85. Considering Bloomberg's SUVs must be reinforced and armor-plated, they are probably heavier than stock Suburbans, resulting in an even lower fuel economy.
-Vivek
Reply
Joseph 12:34AM (8/02/2007)
I think you should give the guy some credit. I mean, really, how many politicians actually do what they say, especailly when it comes to environmental issues. Cough, Al, Cough,
Gore.
Reply
Bob R. 2:52AM (8/02/2007)
Joseph -
What (cough) exactly (cough) is Al Gore preaching but not doing?
He buys green power for his house/home office and carbon offsets for this travel and his staff's travel, which is one of the things he "preaches".
- Bob R.
Reply
Dave 7:54AM (8/02/2007)
Bob,
You're kidding right? Carbon "offsets"? What a scam. Just because he has more money than the average Joe he's allowed to fly everywhere in a private jet and live in a mansion so large it takes a power plant to operate. You can try and defend him as the spokesman for global warming issues, but this guy doesn't walk the talk. I suppose it was okay for his son to be speeding with a portable pharmacy in the back of his car b/c the son was driving the "greenest hybrid" available too [Prius]. I'd pick a different hero...
Reply
Domenick 8:27AM (8/02/2007)
Dave,
What does Gore's adult son (and his drug use) have to do with anything? You sound like you just don't like Gore and are reflexively lashing out.
I don't have warm fuzzies for the guy either but it would be nice if you could stay within the boundaries of rationality. You might retain some credibility that way.
Reply
koopa 12:26PM (8/02/2007)
I have to agree with Joseph. I was actually shocked that any politician would be "caught" riding in a motor vehicle only A FOURTH of the time. After being stalked for a few weeks. And in NYC. I guess the rest of the mayors around the country ride a bike to work everyday. And BTW, you don't see Bloomberg releasing films touting how green he is. Which is how you know about Gore's green power, because he advertises this. Same reason Obama just traded in his truck for a hybrid, PUBLIC IMAGE. Why weren't these guys so green when no one was looking?
Reply
Bob R. 2:31PM (8/02/2007)
The point, Joseph, is that Al Gore is not "preaching" anything that he isn't doing. You tried to imply hypocrisy on his part, and you may think that carbon offsets are a "scam", but the simple fact is that Al Gore has been advocating that people buy green energy and carbon offsets, people buy low-energy light bulbs and the like, and this is what he is doing.
He may not be doing enough to reduce his personal energy use and carbon footprint (that's been hotly debated), but he is practicing exactly what he has been preaching.
You seem to be having a tantrum about what some mythical Al Gore is or isn't doing, but reality isn't on your side.
- Bob R.
Reply