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House
Science Republicans Propose Plug-In Hybrid Legislation; EESI Board
Member Roger Duncan Testifies
May
17, 2006
Contact
Shefali Ranganathan, 202-662-1883, sranganathan@eesi.org
WASHINGTON
- Support for Flexible-Fuel Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles continues to
gain momentum with key Republican leaders endorsing the
technology. On May 17, 2006, Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX)
unveiled draft legislation in support of research and development
for this cutting-edge technology at a House Science Committee
hearing held by its Energy Subcommittee.
Roger
Duncan, Deputy General Manager of Austin Energy and Environmental
and Energy Study Institute (EESI) Board Member, testified in
support of the draft legislation. Austin Energy and the City
of Austin are spearheading the National Plug-In Partner Campaign
to build a market for this advanced technology. The Campaign has
garnered support from over 200 state and local governments,
non-profit organizations, public and private utilities and
businesses and has received more than 5000 ‘soft’ feet orders
for these vehicles. “I believe the proposed legislation is
a very important step is addressing the energy crisis facing this
nation,” Duncan said.
EESI
is a strong supporter of flexible-fuel plug-in hybrids and is a
founding member of the National Plug-In Partner Campaign. Carol
Werner, EESI’s Executive Director said, “We applaud the
leadership of Energy Subcommittee Chairwoman Judy Biggert (R-IL)
and Rep. Lamar Smith for their proposed legislation and for
holding this hearing. Flexible-Fuel Plug-In Hybrids are
capturing the vision of leaders around the country and offer a
truly bipartisan way to reduce oil consumption and greenhouse gas
emissions.”
Other
witnesses testifying at the hearing included Dr. Mark Duvall,
Electric Power Research Institute's Science & Technology
Division; Dr. Andrew Frank, University of California, Davis; Mr.
John German, American Honda Motor Company; Dr. Danilo Santini,
Argonne National Laboratory's Center for Transportation Research;
and Dr. Cliff Ricketts, Middle Tennessee State University.
The witnesses were supportive of the proposed legislation,
agreeing that the bill would help address some of the challenges
to the commercialization of plug-in hybrids.
The
Plug-In Hybrid Electrical Vehicle Act of 2006
proposes a program to encourage research, development and
deployment of plug-in technology, leading to its
commercialization. In addition, the bill provides incentives
for local and state governments to deploy these vehicles in their
fleets. “Plug-In hybrid cars get better gas mileage,
give off fewer emissions and reduce America’s dependence on
foreign oil,” said Rep. Smith. “For economic,
environmental and strategic reasons, it makes sense to encourage
automakers to go beyond their already popular hybrid vehicles to
produce plug-in cars.”
Energy
Subcommittee Chairwoman Judy Biggert (R-IL) was all praise for
flexible-fuel plug-in hybrids. “I would buy a plug-in
hybrid if available,” she said. Following the
hearing, Members had an opportunity to test drive two Toyota Prius
plug-in hybrid demonstration vehicles on display. The
plug-in demonstration was organized by Rep. Jack Kingston (R-GA)
who is a co-sponsor of H.R 4409, Fuel
Choices for American Security Act of 2005
which includes incentives for plug-ins; the
Set America Free Coalition; California Cars Initiative (CalCars);
and the Hybrid Consortium.
Joining
several House members at the demonstration was Senator Sam
Brownback (R-KS), a co-sponsor of S.2025 Vehicle
and Fuel Choices for American Security Act, which
provides incentives for the development and deployment of plug-in
hybrids.
Links
to the Hearing webcast and witness testimony
Webcast
- http://boss.streamos.com/real/hscience/sci06/051706.smi
Witness
Testimony - http://www.house.gov/science/hearings/energy06/May%2017/index.htm
You
can participate by signing a petition
and show your support for flexible-fuel plug-in hybrid cars.
EESI
is a founding member of the Plug-in Partners Coalition
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