An electric vehicles bill received rare bipartisan support last week. On
July 21 2010, a bill by Senators Dorgan (D-N.D.), Alexander (R-Tenn.),
and Merkley (D-Ore.) was approved by the Senate’s Energy and Natural
Resources Committee by a vote of 19-4.
The “Promoting Electric
Vehicle Act of 2010,” will reduce fossil fuel consumption through
initiatives that will increase the adoption of electric cars and trucks.
The fact that 13 Democrats and 6 Republicans supported this bill in the
Energy Committee shows that bipartisanship is possible.
“It is
outstanding to see bipartisan support for trading in the dirty,
expensive fuels of the 19th century for the clean, efficient fuels of
the 21st century,” Merkley said. “The bottom line is that electric
vehicles save families money on fuel, cause less pollution, and reduce
our dependence on foreign oil. I’m proud to partner with Senators Dorgan
and Alexander in the drive toward a stronger America.”
The
electric vehicle bill includes provisions for “deployment communities”
that would oversee targeted incentive programs for electric vehicles and
charging infrastructures. This program is designed to accelerate market
penetration and develop nationwide “best practices” for the deployment
of electric vehicles.
The goal of the electric vehicle
legislation is to have half of US cars and trucks electric powered by
2030. According to the legislation's authors, this would cut US demand
for oil by about one-third.
Electric vehicles are important, but a
forward looking energy strategy must concurrently encourage the growth
of renewable sources of power. It is unfortunate that the show of
Republican bipartisanship does not carry over to a more comprehensive
smart energy policy.
Source
