CNN/AP: Massachusetts eyes incentives for hybrid, alternative fuel cars

[DeepModem Mom]

State eyes incentives for hybrid, alternative fuel cars
Tuesday, September 27, 2005


BOSTON, Massachusetts (AP) -- As fuel prices soar and drivers search for ways to save money, lawmakers are pushing a bill they say would make Massachusetts a national leader in the drive to ease dependence on gasoline.

The bill, which could come up for a vote in the Senate as soon as Thursday, would reward drivers who buy hybrid or alternative fuel cars with tax breaks, free transponders to get through tolls quicker and open access to HOV lanes.

The bill also would require that at least half of the state's fleet of vehicles run on alternative fuels by 2010, and establish an Alternative Fuels Institute at the University of Massachusetts.

Massachusetts is already ninth in the nation in the number of hybrid cars on the road, according to Republican Sen. Bruce Tarr, the bill's author....

***

The bill is getting a warm reception from the Republican administration of Gov. Mitt Romney, who has been pushing similar ideas. Senate President Robert Travaglini, a Democrat, said the cost to the state would be minimal....


http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/09/27/alternativefuel.cars.ap/index.html

[PassingFair]

1. About Time!

Idiots have been ripping around in Hummers, which they can write off 100% as business expenses since the chimp has been in charge.
Tax breaks should be at the federal level, but I'll take what we can get....

[Sal316]

2. Watch how they do it.

If they don't require people to use alternative fuels, but still give them the incentive, then it's a waste of time.

We had that happen here in AZ and it nearly bankrupted the state. Large write-offs with no requirement to actually USE AF's. People were buying Tahoes and Suburbans and other behemoths, installing the AF hardware, getting the incentive/rebate, and never using AF's.