Utah Moms for Clean Air

Hello Utah Moms for Clean Air!

We knew that this 45-day period of the legislative session would be busy. We promised in our last call to action that we would be supporting legislative to clean up both cars and coal. Today is your chance to support a clean air and efficient vehicle tax incentive that is being voted on MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4 (9th in line for the vote) and we’re asking you to act TODAY!

House Bill 106, sponsored by Representative Roz McGee (D) of District 28 and Senator Greg Bell (R) of District 22 is called the Clean Air and Efficient Vehicle Tax Incentive. It will incentivize purchase and retrofit of clean-fuel vehicles and help reduce emissions by vehicles.

We are asking you to write (email) or call your representative to ask them to vote in favor of H.B. 106 in the upcoming vote on the bill. Time is of the essence, so contact them Monday, if at all possible. Go to the House’s website to find your Representative’s contact information. A combination of an email and a phone call will be most effective since time is so short.

The following information on H.B. 106 is provided by Utah Clean Energy:

This legislation would provide performance‑based, fuel and technology neutral incentives for efficient and clean vehicles. Consumers would receive a tax credit for the purchase of a new vehicle ($1,000) meeting air quality and fuel economy guidelines set by the US EPA, or conversion of a vehicle ($2,500) to run on clean fuel such as natural gas, propane and electricity. This tax credit would sunset on December 31, 2013.

Main Points

• Currently, Utah has a tax credit for up to half the incremental cost of an alternative fuel vehicle’s powertrain and fuel system. There are some problems with this statute, as it provides full incentives for used vehicles that have limited remaining useful life and associated benefits. Some of these used vehicles are no more efficient and no cleaner than today’s passenger cars. This bill closes this loophole and supports the cleanest and most efficient vehicles.
• This 2008 legislation seeks to improve the existing statute to provide incentives for new vehicles meeting the highest standards for fuel efficiency and air pollution. It is fuel and technology neutral.
• It proposes a $1,000 tax credit for vehicles that meet criteria for fuel efficiency and air pollution. The vehicles currently eligible for this credit include: Honda Civic GX (CNG), Honda Civic hybrid, Toyota Prius, Toyota Camry hybrid, Nissan Altima Hybrid, Mercury Mariner hybrid, Mazda hybrid Tribute, and Ford Escape hybrid. This list is may change as technology advances.
• It maintains the existing $2,500 tax credit for the conversion of vehicles to run on clean fuels through the installation of certified conversion equipment, providing an important incentive for cleaner natural gas conversions.
• It eliminates a requirement that owners of clean fuel vehicles annually purchase a clean special fuel tax certificate, which is not easily enforced and contributes little revenue to the State.

Important Point

• It is designed to let industry and the market decide the best technologies to meet air emission and fuel efficiency criteria, and streamlines the State’s administration of the credit.

What are the benefits to Utah and Utah’s Citizens?

• Help reduce reliance on foreign fuel and improve energy security. Proposed legislation would encourage the purchase of vehicles with an improved fuel economy of 41 to 44 percent, therefore reducing Utah’s reliance on foreign oil [1].
• Improve Utah’s air quality, benefiting our public health. Choosing a vehicle with the highest efficiency compared to an average economy car, can reduce of air pollutants such as NOx (by 71%), NMOG (by 89%), CO (by 50%), and HCHO (by 78%).[1]

[1] Source: Utah Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Air Quality, 2007; NOx=Oxides of Nitrogen: Compounds containing nitrogen and oxygen; they combine with hydrocarbons in the sunlight to form smog; NMOG=Non-Methane Organic Compounds: Compounds containing carbon; they combine with NOx in the sunlight to form smog; CO=Carbon Monoxide: A colorless, odorless, poisonous gas; HCHO=Formaldehyde: A lung irritant and carcinogen

Thanks so much for all you do!

— Cherise, Dana, Cameron, Travis, Michelle, Pat, Deborah, Lori, and Jennifer
The Founders of Utah Moms for Clean Air