xcel
02-18-2007, 10:37 AM
In Texas, it is not much but it is a start. (http://www.woai.com/mostpopular/story.aspx?content_id=db736eea-6b91-4e56-abdd-d56163a77761)
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/2006_HCH-II_-_EX_wheels_front.jpg Katy Camp - WOIA - Feb. 18, 2007
2007 HCH-II is one of only two cars that will qualify for the Texas State Tax rebate.
AUSTIN - Texans who buy hybrid vehicles could get a 10 percent rebate on their sales tax under legislation proposed Friday.
"This state must confront the serious challenge of reducing vehicle emissions -- not to mention reducing our dependence on foreign oil," said Rep. Dwayne Bohac, a Houston Republican who made the proposal along with Rep. Rafael Anchia, D-Dallas. "This bill allows us to kill two birds with one stone by creating an incentive to drive more fuel efficient vehicles and getting older, less efficient vehicles off the road."
Buyers of hybrid engine or alternative fuel vehicles would be eligible for the rebate based on emissions ratings. Any vehicle that is rated in the Environmental Protection Agency's Green Vehicle Guide as emitting less than 0.45 pounds of carbon dioxide per mile, or averaging 44 miles to the gallon, would qualify.
The measure also includes a 7 percent rebate on vehicles that emit less than 0.45 but not more than 0.55 pounds of carbon dioxide per mile or average 36 to 43 miles per gallon.
"Incentivizing people in their pocketbooks is the best way to get their attention," Anchia said.
While people may not believe the scientific claims about global warming, "I know they believe in getting some money back off of their sales tax and also saving some money on gasoline. It's hitting people on the pocket book pretty hard."
Carbon dioxide is the chief gas blamed for global warming. The United States produces about a quarter of the world's greenhouse gases.
While the Bush administration has acknowledged the effects of global warming on the environment, President Bush has rejected mandatory controls on carbon dioxide.
When released into the air through vehicle emissions, carbon dioxide becomes trapped in the atmosphere, thereby heating the earth's surface, many scientists believe.
"A growing number of Texans consider air quality and its impact on the health of their families a crucial concern," Anchia said.
"We want legislation that rewards the purchase of cleaner burning automobiles, and in the process makes hybrid technology more affordable for all Texans."
Money for the rebates would come from the Texas Emission Reduction Plan, known as TERP.
Anchia and Bohac said that by giving incentives to purchase hybrid vehicles, which can cost as much as $5,000 more than standard-engine vehicles, they would be more affordable for more Texas consumers. The federal government also offers tax incentives for hybrid purchases.
"This is something that we should've been doing 10 years ago," Bohac said.
The bill is House Bill 1335.
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/2006_HCH-II_-_EX_wheels_front.jpg Katy Camp - WOIA - Feb. 18, 2007
2007 HCH-II is one of only two cars that will qualify for the Texas State Tax rebate.
AUSTIN - Texans who buy hybrid vehicles could get a 10 percent rebate on their sales tax under legislation proposed Friday.
"This state must confront the serious challenge of reducing vehicle emissions -- not to mention reducing our dependence on foreign oil," said Rep. Dwayne Bohac, a Houston Republican who made the proposal along with Rep. Rafael Anchia, D-Dallas. "This bill allows us to kill two birds with one stone by creating an incentive to drive more fuel efficient vehicles and getting older, less efficient vehicles off the road."
Buyers of hybrid engine or alternative fuel vehicles would be eligible for the rebate based on emissions ratings. Any vehicle that is rated in the Environmental Protection Agency's Green Vehicle Guide as emitting less than 0.45 pounds of carbon dioxide per mile, or averaging 44 miles to the gallon, would qualify.
The measure also includes a 7 percent rebate on vehicles that emit less than 0.45 but not more than 0.55 pounds of carbon dioxide per mile or average 36 to 43 miles per gallon.
"Incentivizing people in their pocketbooks is the best way to get their attention," Anchia said.
While people may not believe the scientific claims about global warming, "I know they believe in getting some money back off of their sales tax and also saving some money on gasoline. It's hitting people on the pocket book pretty hard."
Carbon dioxide is the chief gas blamed for global warming. The United States produces about a quarter of the world's greenhouse gases.
While the Bush administration has acknowledged the effects of global warming on the environment, President Bush has rejected mandatory controls on carbon dioxide.
When released into the air through vehicle emissions, carbon dioxide becomes trapped in the atmosphere, thereby heating the earth's surface, many scientists believe.
"A growing number of Texans consider air quality and its impact on the health of their families a crucial concern," Anchia said.
"We want legislation that rewards the purchase of cleaner burning automobiles, and in the process makes hybrid technology more affordable for all Texans."
Money for the rebates would come from the Texas Emission Reduction Plan, known as TERP.
Anchia and Bohac said that by giving incentives to purchase hybrid vehicles, which can cost as much as $5,000 more than standard-engine vehicles, they would be more affordable for more Texas consumers. The federal government also offers tax incentives for hybrid purchases.
"This is something that we should've been doing 10 years ago," Bohac said.
The bill is House Bill 1335.