HB 2720 - Let Them Know You Like It

Submitted by Gordon Smith on Tue, 06/03/2008 - 10:18am

A lot of the vehicles in North Carolina's motor pool are diesel fueled. Also, NC will continue to purchase new vehicles as older ones head to the scrap heap. With gasoline prices at four dollars a gallon, wouldn't it make sense for North Carolina to move to alternative fuels and purchase only the most fuel efficient vehicles? It would save NC taxpayers untold amounts of money to have our motor fleet be as efficient as possible.

Grier Martin (D), Pricey Harrison (D), and Charles Thomas (R) have submitted legislation to do just that. HB 2720 - Energy‑Efficient State Motor Vehicle Fleets - has two components:

Every new motor vehicle transferred to or purchased by the Department that is designed to operate on diesel fuel shall be covered by an express manufacturer's warranty that allows the use of B‑20 fuel.

and

Every new passenger motor vehicle transferred to or purchased by the Department of Transportation shall have a fuel economy rating, as determined by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, for the new vehicle's model year, that is in the top ten percent (10%) for its class of vehicles.

If you think this bill is common sense legislation that will save taxpayer dollars though environmental responsibility, then give a shout to these folks on the Appropriations committee to tell them so. Appropriations guys love to hear that a bill will save money, and if they get some credit for 'going green', they'll take that too.

Senior Chairman Rep. Michaux - Mickeym@ncleg.net - 919-715-2528
Chairman Rep. Adams - Almaa@ncleg.net - 919-733-5902
Chairman Rep. M. Alexander - Marthaa@ncleg.net - 919-733-5807
Chairman Rep. Crawford - Jimcr@ncleg.net - 919-733-5824
Chairman Rep. Haire - Philliph@ncleg.net - 919-715-3005
Chairman Rep. Jeffus - Maggiej@ncleg.net - 919-733-5191
Chairman Rep. Tolson - Joet@ncleg.net - 919-715-3024
Chairman Rep. Yongue - Douglasy@ncleg.net - 919-733-5821

Copy and Paste this email list if you'd like: Mickeym@ncleg.net, Almaa@ncleg.net, Marthaa@ncleg.net, Jimcr@ncleg.net, Philliph@ncleg.net, Maggiej@ncleg.net, Joet@ncleg.net, Douglasy@ncleg.net

Please contact them ASAP. This compact session of the Legislature means a lot can happen fast or not at all. A few contacts can go a long way towards moving our state into the era of fuel efficiency.

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Chairmen,

Thank you for considering HB 2720 - Energy Efficient State Motor Vehicle Fleets. This bill will save North Carolina taxpayers money for years. As fuel prices continue to rise with no end in sight, refocusing our fiscally responsible attention on our state motor vehicle fleet will save untold amounts of money for the taxpayer.

Additionally, we'll be polluting less and sending less of our money overseas to oil producing nations.

Please support this important legislation.

Thanks for your time, attention, and vote,

Gordon Smith

Asheville, NC