Can someone explain to me about the "energy bill?"

[question everything]

Did not follow the details and, I understand, neither did law makers who signed it but.... seems that it would give some tax breaks for diesel powered car because it provides more miles for the gallon.

If this is the goal, why not add additional taxes for the SUVs and other gas guzzlers? I think that many SUV owners can actually get a tax break - don't remember exactly how... if used for "business?"

[punpirate]

1. The big-ticket tax break is separate...

... from the recent energy bill.

The 100% subsidy of 6000+ lb. GVW vehicles used for business was in a different, earlier bill.

The latest energy bill offers some credits for any vehicle which shows a 25% increase in mileage, not just hybrids, so there may be some credits available for diesels with improved economy. But, those credits are available during a fairly narrow window, I think--from 2007 through 2009 or so.

I agree, it's stupid to be offering tax subsidies for gas-wasters, but, then, this Congress seems to excel at stupidity. It's one of the things they do best.

[question everything]

3. Thanks. Yes, I've realized that there are two separate bills

but, as you say, members of Congress rarely operate in a reasonable manner. Why bother about real issues when one can talk about steroids?

[Burried News]

2. Vehicles over 6000 pounds qualify for tax breaks. Example

If a Dr. buys a Hummer and uses it for business there is a tax break.
The original intent supposedly was to give truckers a break - we report you decide.:)

There is a thread at dailykos on the energy bill. One poster listed the provisions (over a dozen I believe).
One little talked about provision favors banks and wall street firms- it allows them to form energy holding companies so we can do Enron all over again.
Bank of America mentioned that they were doing so a few months ago.

[question everything]

4. Thanks, this is really stupid

Business owners already can deduct the cost of vehicles, so why do they need extra goodies?

I wonder whether there could have been additional characterization to really limit it to trucks as... number of axles? (don't know much about automobiles, as long as my 7-yr Camry takes me from point A to point B in a reliable manner)

[wli]

5. basically a Halliburton kickback with little other content