Helpful energy conservation advice from the private-jet-commuting, Hummer-popularizing guy next door

Schwarzenegger Maintains Fight Against Climate Change - NAM

“The most important job for my administration” Schwarzenegger said “is to inspire people.” He suggested that everyone in the audience wash their clothes in cold water or turn off their air conditioning a little early. Or think about their driving, saying it may be called a joke but he has found that he cuts the cost of his vehicle by 10 percent by keeping the correct air pressure in his tires. After all he said, “People have much more power than politicians.”

Governor answers questions on his frequent travels by jet - Los Angeles Times

March 11, 2008

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger toured the Northern California Carpenters training facility in Fairfield this morning and spoke about the need for trained apprentices to help rebuild California’s eroded infrastructure.

At a news conference afterward, he was asked about his frequent commute by private jet between his Brentwood home and the state Capitol in Sacramento, as reported in The Times on Friday.

Sept 2006: Humm baby, Schwarzenegger keeping his Hummers

For the record: Schwarzenegger still has four Hummers. That's three registered in California, and one registered in Idaho. And that doesn't count the much-touted hydrogen Hummer, the one which has been made more environmentally friendly; Schwarzenegger doesn't own it -- General Motors does.

The report from ContactMusic.com, linked today in Drudge, said Schwarzenegger "has ditched his beloved $950,000 fleet of Hummer cars in a bid to save the environment.'' It noted that the former "Terminator" "is devoted to the sport utility vehicles for their "precision,'' and let's face it, their macho appeal. But this week, with Attorney General Bill Lockyer announced he was suing six major auto manufacturers -- Toyota, Nissan, Ford, Honda, Chrysler and General Motors over greenhouse gas emissions, that was the catalyst in the Hummer-dumping, the item said, adding "ex-movie star Schwarzenegger felt it was prudent to make the change.''

Schwarzengger, as many know, became in 1992 the first private citizen to own a Hummer -- a car that weighed in at 6,300 lbs. and was an amazing 7 feet wide, according to reports.

And since that time, many in the auto industry say he deserves almost single-handed credit for introducing the behemoth cars -- once strictly military vehicles -- to the American consumer market. Environmental critics have noted his endorsement pumped up the car's popularity, even as they note the Hummers spew, well, a lot of greenhouse gas emissions.