98% success means that for every one Solyndra, there are forty nine stories like Ford’s Louisville Assembly Plant just an hour or two up the road from last night’s debate.                                                                                                                                                          

In fact, this DOE loan to Ford is actually 11 successes in five states that together support 33,000 jobs.  In addition, these successes unequivocally show that American companies and workers have what it takes to lead the world in building the innovative clean energy technologies that combat climate change.   

The retooled Louisville Assembly Plant celebrated in June. Photo: Sam VarnHagen/ Ford Motor Co.

Today in Louisville, the Ford Louisville Assembly Plant  is running at full capacity around the clock 7 days a week and employs 4600 workers. Ford made a $600 million investment in the plant, which added 1800 jobs in 2010 and another 1300 in 2011.   The “transformed” plant builds the redesigned and more efficient Ford Escape which is also on track to beat sales records.

 “Workers who once worried if they would even have a job here, are now working extra hours. “It really makes us feel good about our future,” says [plant] manager John Savona. “We are building vehicles that customers want.”

At the opening of the retooled plant in June, state and city leaders, the company and the union talked about how working with government and each other had resulted in a turnaround that delivered on innovation, to the community and to the economy.

Louisville’s story isn’t unique.  Not only have DOE investments saved or brought back tens of thousands of jobs and cut pollution, but they’re a direct investment in the success and competitiveness of American businesses large and small.    These successes are also supported by smart clean energy, fuel economy, and tax policies that create the certainty the private sector needs to invest in clean technologies of the future.  They build on world leading science and R&D in our National Labs, DOE programs that help companies commercialize cutting edge innovation in America, and Department of Commerce, programs that help small manufacturers develop the processes and skills to develop new businesses in rapidly growing clean energy fields.

 Strong demand for fuel efficient cars and trucks like the Escape is also driving job growth in the thousands of companies that make the innovative parts and components for these vehicles, cutting carbon pollution and pain at the pump.  

So let’s replace naysaying about American failures with the truth about Americans working together to succeed. With approximately 14700 successes to choose from, feel free to pick one near you.

The punch line is:  More oil just doesn’t help Americans with pain at the pump, but new fuel economy standards and vehicle innovation does.  How big is the difference?  It’s not even close.

Lets take a back of the envelope look at what popular “solutions” actually do about what Americans spend on gasoline– today, in a few years, and decades from now. 

What do these charts tell us?

1.  What seem like very big oil projects (which often carry big risks) cut just a few cents on the gallon in 2030 – and have virtually no effect today.  Supply and demand does work, but it works on a global scale and we’re small players in the huge global oil market. 

Like a small farmer thinking about whether to plant another 100 acres of corn, we’re price takers in the oil market, not price setters (and like that farmer, oil companies are sure hoping the price stays up, not hoping it goes down) 

2. By far the biggest and quickest way to change what we pay for fuel is to improve what we drive.  Thanks to new fuel economy standards and the innovation that is coming with them, families and businesses are taking back control at the pump.  Even if it will be five or ten years before you buy your next new (or new used ) car or truck, vehicle fuel efficiency is improving so fast that that new vehicles will bring quicker and deeper cuts in what we pay for fuel than all the drilling projects put together.    In the short term, consumers can also change how much they drive, or choose other ways to travel where good transit exists,  but new vehicle standards bring fuel savings comparatively quickly for all kinds of vehicles, drivers and lifestyles.

3. Filling up with electricity is a big deal.  Compared to petroleum, electricity is cheap, stable and secure.  While oil prices keep rising, the U.S. Energy Information Agency (EIA)  projects electricity prices dropping in real terms through 2030.  Though we don’t reflect it in the chart, electric vehicle technology costs are also dropping while electric engine efficiency improves.  Sure, the cost of electric vehicles today is higher than a comparable vehicle, but when you’re saving $3 on every gallon or 10 grand on fuel every 5 years, that gives some room to spare – even today.

As a CNN article pointed out this week there really isn’t much a President (or a Presidential candidate) can do about world oil prices, but what these charts show is that Americans’ household budgets and business bottom lines depend on getting their hands on new vehicle innovation.  

Lets challenge our politicians to focus on the real solutions:  Getting savings into Americans’ hands means support for the strong new fuel economy standards and for other measures that  speed R&D and manufacturing  of advanced vehicle technology in America – from pick-up trucks with powerful highly efficient gasoline and diesel engines, to electric and plug-in hybrid electric sedans.

But what about?  More details…

4.  Are those gas price increases in the 2015 graph?  Yes, the Keystone XL pipeline is expected to raise, not lower, gasoline prices in the Midwest.  Today, without a pipeline to coastal refineries, much Canadian tar sands oil is “stuck” in the Midwest and sells at a discount relative to the price for comparable Mexican heavy crude on the world market.  If a pipeline is built from Canada to the Gulf, the oil can reach many markets, and the company expects $2-$4 Billion a year in additional revenues from selling it at the higher world price. Unfortunately, that means consumers in the Midwest would have to pay that price too.

5.  Even once the cost of advanced technology is added in, more fuel efficient cars and trucks still save consumers a ton.  The charts above just show fuel costs.  Adding advanced technology to make cars more efficient does add a little to the cost of the car – but not nearly as much as consumers get back in savings on fuel. Fuel savings are about three times as big as technology costs,  so consumers still come out way ahead. 

We also left out the direct impact that the new fuel economy standards have on world oil prices. Making our cars more efficient cuts oil demand more than any of the drilling projects shown above increase supply.  As we said on drilling, these impacts are very small, but  increasing vehicle efficiency does a better job of directly impacting on gasoline prices too.

6. Choosing made in America advanced technology over continued more spending on fuel has other benefits as well.  New more fuel efficient vehicles are a key element driving a US automotive and manufacturing recovery that has added 200,000 direct jobs in the last 2 ½  years.  And when American families and businesses save at the pump they spend those savings building jobs at home.  A recent study found that respending of savings from more efficient vehicles would add nearly half a million additional jobs.

Come again? How did we get the gas price equivalent? If you buy a car that’s twice as efficient as the one you have today, you go twice as far on the same gallon of gas.  Every mile you drive, every trip to work, will cost half as much in fuel.  So the effect on your wallet is the same as if you still had the old car and the gas price at the pump was cut in half. A 5% increase in vehicle efficiency is like a 5% cut in gas prices, 20% is like 20%, etc. etc.  Taking the average fuel economy and gas price today as a starting point, we’ve calculated the reduction in how much Americans will spend on gas as a result of different vehicle changes, and stated it as the gas price you would need to get the same savings.

Methodology:  This is a back of the envelope estimate.  Sources are included in hyperlinks throughout, but in general, estimates of oil production impacts on world oil prices come from department of energy analyses (drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, adding or reducing production on the Outer Continental Shelf).   They use different base years and reference cases – but a consistent message recurs of a very small impact on world oil prices – in the realm of just a few cents per gallon that takes many years to arrive.  Impacts on gasoline spending as a result of new vehicle efficiency improvements are calculated from the fuel economy levels required in existing and proposed fuel economy standards as compared to levels today.  The change in efficiency of all vehicles on the road (new and used) requires projecting the gradual adoption of new vehicles into the existing vehicle stock and calculating the resulting average efficiency.  We relied on a stock model developed by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) for this projection.  We have made a conservative estimate of future electric vehicle fueling cost using current electric vehicle efficiency and EIA projected average residential electricity prices.  We do not reflect improvements to EV technology, or the fact that many utilities offer lower electricity rates for off-peak EV fueling.

The Ford Focus electric (Photo: Ford)

To highlight EV news in your community — or in your garage — click here.

Here at NWF we’ve recently been part of the Plug-in Electric Vehicle Dialogue Group — a broad group of companies, utilities, NGO’s and government involved in  EVs  and convened by C2ES. At a a recent event the group released a joint action plan to help ensure consumers can smoothly fuel cars with electricity. The event is a great jumping off place to get a look at the latest news about EVs…

Why are so many people and industries excited about EV’s? Try this podcast! Nick Nigro of C2ES chats with me and Watson Collins of Northeast Utilities.  We’re talking about the PEV event, but also discussing why the technology is exciting today (cheaper electric rates, $1/gallon fill ups, JARVIS), so tune in.

Check out the event on the web, or on storify to see what participants had to say. Or check out the Action Plan itself if you’re interested in the details.

What’s happening now on EVs?

Is my state, city or town engaged?  Click here to see many that are.

What about…? Click on the links below to see what the many PEV Dialogue Group members are doing on EVs – and remember,  we’re just a slice of the many consumers, cities, auto companies, electric utilities, NGO’s and local governments involved in this transportation transformation.

Electricity isn't just for cars. US companies are building and using electric trucks and delivery vehicles as well. (Photo: NTEA)

*The role of these group members must be limited to technical contribution because of their organizational function
Who are we missing?  Let people know what’s happening with EV’s in your community – or your garage – by commenting in the box below.  Give us your city/town and a short description what’s going on on EVs.

New efficient vehicle technology lets drivers take back control at the pump. Photo: shutterstock.com

It’s good news for wildlife to see a familiar vehicle that’s 5 times as energy efficient as the average car  today (today’s average is 22 MPG), and since it doesn’t use any gasoline at all, it’s drilling, tar sands and pipeline-free.

But with rumors of gas prices hitting $5/gallon this summer (never mind rumors, I just saw $4.99/gallon for premium in my neighborhood!), there’s another reason all electric vehicles and mostly electric plug-in hybrids are a big deal. Filling up your car with electricity costs about a dollar a gallon. 

Yes $1/gallon. This year, Ford, Chevy, Nissan, Toyota, Mitsubishi, and several other automakers will offer consumers electric or mostly electric plug-in hybrid cars.

Plug-in hybrids like the 2013 Ford Fusion Energi (above) and the Chevy Volt use electricity for most trips, but use gasoline for back up to go very long distances. Photo: flickr Happy Via.

But the current car and truck renaissance isn’t just electric.  I’ve blogged before on how strong new fuel economy standards mean savings right now (like for those trading in their old F150 pickup truck for the new more efficient 2011 or 2012 model) and are bringing increasing relief from pain at the pump for drivers of all kinds of cars.

Every year new cars will be more efficient than the year before until, in 2025, a new car or truck will use half as much fuel as a new car or truck today. That’s like a cut from 4 bucks to 2 bucks a gallon in what it costs to take that spring break road trip. Taking all our cars—new and used together—Americans will be spending almost 40% less for gas in 2030 than they would without the new standards and innovation that comes with them.

In a  global market for oil, new drilling and pipelines can’t bring relief to Americans hard hit by high gas prices. But innovative new cars and trucks can. Its time to take control at the pump!

Dear Media – Give Your Readers the Facts on Gas Prices and Keystone XL

Photo from "Images of Money" on Flickr Commons.

In the last six months the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline has increasingly been used by politicians to score political points in the broader debate about the future of American energy policy. MSNBC had a piece yesterday that exposed the misinformation behind the political games. Your readers deserve the facts as well. This memo tackles one of the many questions surrounding the pipeline: if built, what effect will it have on gas prices?

Sportsmen commend Udall for considering permanent protection for Browns Canyon

February 27 – Hunters, anglers, rafters, and other outdoors enthusiasts who want to conserve what makes Browns Canyon special welcomed U.S. Sen. Mark Udall’s announcement Sunday that he is launching an effort to permanently protect the area.

The rugged area in south-central Colorado is among the most scenic in the state, drawing nearly 270,000 commercial and private boaters on the Arkansas River last year and generating roughly $24 million in direct spending, said Bill Dvorak of Nathrop, an organizer with the National Wildlife Federation and fishing and rafting guide.

And here are highlights from NWF in the News:

• E&E News: Inhofe’s ‘Hoax’ tells of the making of an anti-reg warrior
• The Hill: Greens and Gulf Coast officials push Congress for fund for oil spill cleanup
• MSNBC: Keystone pipeline claims just don’t add up
• The Colorado Independent: Environmentalists blast Colorado’s new drilling task force as Trojan horse

For more, visit www.nwf.org/News

TO:                         Editorial and Opinion Writers

Photo from "Images of Money" on Flickr Commons.

SUBJECT:         Energy Prices will Rise in Many States with Keystone XL

DATE:                    March 1, 2012

In the last six months the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline has increasingly been used by politicians to score political points in the broader debate about the future of American energy policy. MSNBC had a piece yesterday that exposed the misinformation behind the political games. Your readers deserve the facts as well. This memo tackles one of the many questions surrounding the pipeline: if built, what effect will it have on gas prices?

Before we get started, a couple of background points: The company behind Keystone XL (or “KXL”) is called TransCanada Corporation. The oil that would be pumped through KXL would mostly come from the tar sands region of Alberta, Canada, and would transport the oil 1,700 miles to Gulf refineries in Texas. It’s higher in pollution than conventional oil and carries a heavy environmental cost. Tar sands are a mixture of sand, clay, water, and bitumen, a viscous type of oil that must be diluted before it can be pumped through pipelines. Bitumen is more corrosive on pipelines than conventional oil and it is more toxic and harder to clean up in the event of a spill, as proven by the devastating spill of over one million gallons into Michigan’s Kalamazoo River.  It also requires special equipment to refine into usable gasoline or diesel.

REROUTES SUPPLY

Contrary to industry spin, Keystone XL would not increase oil supply in the United States. Several pipelines already run from Canada to refineries in the U.S. that service America’s Midwestern states.  The Department of Energy has concluded that there is already enough excess pipeline capacity to carry all the oil Canada can produce for the foreseeable future. What Keystone XL is really about is getting the oil to the port refineries on the Gulf Coast, and the vast profits oil companies stand to make by refining their oil and pushing it to the international market. That’s why so many call Keystone XL an export pipeline, and why the industry resisted a Congressional effort to require the oil stay in the U.S.

Oil companies and Canadian officials have said the biggest factor holding down the price for Canadian crude is also the most basic—they need a way to ship their product overseas and get around an oversupplied U.S. and Canada. Demand for oil in the U.S. has been declining in recent years, while Canada’s oil production is growing.   Keystone XL isn’t about U.S. energy security, it’s shipping oil to  Europe, Asia, and South America, thus driving up the price for Canadian oil. Yes, there’s hard proof, read on.

HIGHER PRICES IN 15 STATES

In this case, the Midwestern markets that are already using tar sands oil would get burned. Consumers in the following states would pay more at the pump: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.

Ask yourself, would oil companies don’t spend $7 billion on a project because they want to lower prices?  They want higher profits, and they are going to get higher prices because they can charge more for their oil. TransCanada’s shipping partners (Valero, Shell, Total Energy, Canadian Natural Resources, Trafigura, and Cenovus/Encana) want to be able to boost prices in the Midwest.[i]

OIL COMPANIES CAUGHT

And now the incontrovertible evidence:  TransCanada has confirmed that high prices are all part of the plan. In filings with the Canadian government, the company asserted that “Access to the [U.S. Gulf Coast] via the Keystone XL Pipeline is expected to strengthen Canadian crude oil pricing in [the U.S. Midwest” and “The resultant increase in the price of heavy crude is estimated to provide an increase in annual revenue to the Canadian producing industry in 2013 of US $2 billion to US $3.9 billion.”[ii] TransCanada has admitted to reporters and to Congress that Keystone XL will raise gas prices in the Midwest, even though politicians love to claim that it will instead reduce prices.[iii]

An independent analysis of Keystone XL (done by Cornell University’s Global Labor Institute) found that “consumers in the Midwest could be paying 10 to 20 cents more per gallon for gasoline and diesel fuel. These additional costs will suppress other spending and will therefore cost jobs.”[iv] And Philip Verleger, a respected economist and oil industry market expert, determined that the project would let TransCanada and Canadian oil producers manipulate Midwestern gas prices to the tune of $500 million annually.[v] KXL’s backers have often touted its supposed “energy security” benefits, but Keystone XL isn’t about energy security.  TransCanada beat back an effort in Congress to keep Keystone XL’s oil off the international market,[vi] because they know they can boost prices and profits by finding new customers overseas.

Again, it all comes back to exports, and it’s revealing to look at what the industry is already doing: Gasoline exports have actually tripled in the last year to 600,000 barrels per day, even though gas has increased by 42 cents a gallon in the same time frame.[vii]  America is becoming the middle man in the global oil business – drilling and importing lots of crude oil but exporting more and more refined diesel and gasoline products.  The U.S. inherits the risks, and gets no reward. To us, it sounds like a sucker’s deal.

[Editor's Note:  This article was primarily written by NWF staffer Peter LaFontaine, with editing by Tony Iallonardo.]

We focused on trucks because many of our members rely on them for work or as they hunt, fish and enjoy the outdoors, but also because trucks are a tough case: Trucks use a lot of fuel, so truck owners are hard hit by rising fuel prices, but at the same time, work trucks need power.  What we found was that the standards were win-win across the board.  With apologies to Daft Punk, these trucks work it harder, make us stronger – and save truck owners money at the same time.

And in the week since we released the report, the press has been alive with other announcements that reinforce the point that current efficiency and fuel savings improvements are the result of real innovation – not short cuts that shortchange vehicle performance.

In the report, we compare the 2005 and 2011 Ford F150 models as an example of how fuel economy innovation is already bringing consumers more and better choices – but a second wave is already underway.

Monday’s New York Times reports a partnership between Ford and Toyota to more rapidly bring out affordable, effective, rear wheel drive hybrid systems for trucks and SUVs.  “Clearly Ford and Toyota will remain competitors,” said Derrick Kuzak, Ford’s group vice president for research and development. “By working together, we will be able to offer our customers more affordable technology sooner.”

Cadillac Converj at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show (photo: NWF Zoe Lipman)

Meanwhile,  General Motors announced they’ll be building – for real this time- the elegant, electric, extended-range Cadillac Converj – unveiled as a very sweet concept car in 2009 and now renamed the ELR – using a plug-in electric hybrid system like the Chevy Volt’s.    Then,  at the Pebble Beach luxury car show, they showed off the Ciel –  a hybrid concept car NYT Wheels blog says is “envisioned by Cadillac as a range-topping luxury flagship, the Ciel is powered by a 425-horsepower twin-turbo 3.6-liter V-6 engine and a hybrid system using lithium-ion battery technology.“  Car and Driver writes: “Cadillac tells us that this is not a direct preview of its rumored flagship, but we think it should be.”

And these announcements complement ongoing innovation in engines, transmissions and materials that is delivering quality, affordable vehicles like the Cruze – a 39 mpg strong seller that replaced the Cobalt.  GM is planning to add an even higher mileage clean diesel Cruze in 2013.

None of this stops some naysayers from being stuck in 1975 – ignoring four decades of changes in technology, in regulation, and in global demand for oil – and making some frankly head-scratching assertions about crazy costs, second rate cars and how new fuel efficiency standards are somehow bad for us.  These claims just don’t hold water today.   In 2011, America has the answer – and its coming now to a driveway near you.

In other words, whether cars and trucks bring to mind Daft Punk or “Mustang Sally”, “Pink Cadillac”, and  “Little Red Corvette” – today’s renaissance in auto innovation should be music to your ears.

Chevrolet Volt with charging station (via Flickr's saebaryo)

A major announcement on fuel efficiency is expected in Washington, DC on Friday morning:

The Obama administration and major auto manufacturers have reached a deal to raise fuel efficiency standards for cars and light trucks between 2017 and 2025, resolving a contentious negotiation over how to cut vehicles’ greenhouse gas emissions.

The agreement would require U.S. vehicle fleets to average 54.5 miles per gallon or 163 grams per mile of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2025, which represents a 50 percent cut in greenhouse gases and a 40 percent reduction in fuel consumption compared with today’s vehicles, according to sources briefed on the matter.

These new rules are welcome evidence that government and a broad range of interests can come together around an agreement on fuel economy standards and greenhouse gas reductions. They continue the Clean Air Act’s tradition of delivering big environmental and economic benefits to the nation as a whole.

The rules will extend the progress already being made under the 2012-2016 car and light truck rules– to deliver a win-win on consumer savings, relief from high prices at the pump, energy security and deep cuts in carbon pollution.

Vehicles That Work IN The Out of Doors & FOR The Out of Doors

Strong standards ensure that whether you drive a compact car or a big truck you can see big fuel savings, energy security, and environmental benefits. Many of our National Wildlife Federation members who are outdoor enthusiasts or work in natural resource fields rely on trucks, and high gas prices have a big impact. Standards that create a steady increase in fuel efficiency for all sizes of vehicles ensure that everyone gets the benefit of fuel savings – that families, small businesses and state agencies can all have the vehicles they need and see big savings at the same time.

And contrary to the doubters, the innovations we’re seeing today in engine, transmission and accessory technology deliver better efficiency AND better power and performance.  If enacted and implemented soundly, the standards will mean that you can have a truck that works in the out of doors and for the out of doors at the same time.

A Victory for Economy & Environment

While we don’t yet know the exact numbers, there’s no doubt the standard will put tens of billions of dollars a year back into families and businesses’ pockets to spur economic recovery , rather than flowing out of the country for foreign oil.  And innovation at home means jobs at home and competitiveness in the global auto market.

From what we know about the standard, trucks will face a lower efficiency improvement requirement in early years than cars.  But the agencies have also included measures to reward big jumps in large pickup truck efficiency.  We look forward to working with the agencies and the industry to ensure we move as quickly as possible to ramp up innovation and efficiency gains in pickup trucks.

The proposal still needs to be enacted and effectively implemented to guarantee its benefits, but the announcement tomorrow shows that we have what it takes to get consumers savings at the pump, enhance America’s energy security, build the cars and trucks of tomorrow, and bring all the parties together to get the job done.

www.fueleconomy.gov

As temperatures soar into the 90’s, beach outings, bbq’s, and pool parties are in full swing, but not without a significant cost. Families once again are experiencing pain at the pump caused by high and unpredictable gas prices. Drivers have to devote more and more of their incomes to filling up their cars, putting a strain on already tight budgets.

Our transportation sector is 95 percent dependent on oil which leaves us at the mercy of unpredictable spikes in gas prices and unfriendly or unstable countries who control many of the vast reserves of oil we rely on. As more and more consumers from countries like China and India enter the global marketplace and demand the very same luxuries we as Americans are privileged to, reserves will only be strained further. How will we cope with increasing demand but dwindling reserves? More drilling is NOT the answer.

The people of Montana are learning all too well the consequences of our rush to drill without giving safety considerations a second thought. Hauntingly similar to the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, the middle of the United States is now subject to another massive oil spill. On June 30^th, an Exxon Mobil pipeline ruptured and spewed thousands of gallons of oil into the Yellowstone River. The situation is still far from contained and the extent of the damage is still not known.

Cheap oil is tapped out and what is left is in ever more dangerous sites and requires more destructive methods to extract. It is time we take control of our energy future and demand from our leaders REAL solutions to the energy crisis. We have the tools to cut our dependence on oil TODAY. Increased fuel efficiency, electric vehicles and investment in mass transit, not only sever our reliance on oil, but save Americans money and create jobs at home.

Check out NWF’s new resource, “Taking Control: Real Solutions to Rising Gas Prices,” which highlights that:

• Today we spend two-thirds of a trillion dollars a year on oil, half of it sent overseas.
• An electric or plug-in electric hybrid car frees American families from the gas pump altogether and enables them to fuel up at an outlet at home at a cost equivalent to less than $1/gallon.
• Americans overwhelmingly support a 60 mpg fuel economy standard – by a margin of nearly 2 to 1
• Federal investment of $40 billion on public transit and intercity rail would create 3.7 million direct and indirect jobs – 600,000 of those in the manufacturing sector alone.
• Oil companies receive approximately $4 billion a year in federal subsidies – money that could be invested to spur innovation and create American jobs.

The House Appropriations Committee passed its fiscal year 2012 Interior and Environment Appropriations bill this week which includes a provision that prohibits the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from moving forward on the next round of vehicle fuel efficiency standards.

Speak up against this and other attacks on our clean air, clean water and wildlife.

Photo by Tom Malloy

“Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride.”
~John F. Kennedy

Friday, May 20th is National Bike to Work Day.  According to the League of American Bicyclists, one million people in cities across the country will participate, myself included.

More Americans are realizing the benefits of biking to work.  In fact, there’s been a 44 percent increase in bike commuting in the United States over the past 10 years according to the League.  With increases in traffic congestion and escalating gas prices, this trend will likely continue.

In addition to saving money and reducing my carbon footprint, I bike for the healing power of the ride.  I’m fortunate that my commute is a straight shot on the scenic Washington & Old Dominion Trail in northern Virginia.  So, I enjoy a mostly traffic-free commute.

Photo by Janet L. Larawa

Along the way, it isn’t unusual for me to see and hear a variety of wildlife, especially in the morning. Over the years, I’ve seen groundhogs, rabbits, owls, turtles and, of course, many songbirds.  Nothing puts a smile on my face like the call of a red-winged blackbird or the scamper of a busy chipmunk.

There are also many health benefits.  Although my ride is just 30-35 minutes, that’s enough to get my heart pumping in the morning.  I arrive at work rejuvenated enough to skip the caffeine.  And, after a busy day, it’s just what the doctor ordered for clearing my head and arriving home completely de-stressed.

If you’re thinking about biking to work, find a safe route,  follow the rules of the road and wear a helmet.

And above all, enjoy the ride!