Press Release

 

Rep. Nancy Nathanson

State  Representative, District 13

 

 

 

 

For Immediate Release                                                           For More Information, Contact:

August 5, 2009                                                                       Dorothy Waller 503-986-1413

 

Representative Nancy Nathanson praises Governor’s Signature of Plug-in Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Legislation

 

SALEM   –  Representative Nancy Nathanson praises Governor Kulongoski’s signature of HB 2078 today. This bill will direct tax credits for the purchase of plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles, which replaces the $1500 tax credit currently allowed for hybrid vehicles.

 

The $1500 energy tax credit for alternative vehicles has been available for Oregon residents and businesses for some time now. HB 2078 removes hybrid vehicles from the list of qualifying alternative vehicles and shifts the incentive to plug-in hybrids and all-electric vehicles.

 

 Representative Nathanson worked with the Governor’s office and was instrumental in making sure the incentives were directed to these new and immerging technologies. The bill incorporates the concept from legislation that she initiated during the recent legislative session.

 

“Oregonians have already shown an interest in hybrid vehicles; this bill helps offer another choice that supports Oregon jobs, green technology and cleaner air – plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles,” said Nathanson. “This bill will help position Oregon as a leader in the emerging electric vehicle market, as a user and as a producer of these technologies.”

 

Currently, there are small businesses in Eugene and around the state that manufacture or distribute electric vehicles and their components. This bill is meant to create jobs in Oregon by encouraging the purchase of plug-in hybrids and electric cars and their components produced in Oregon .

 

The signing of this important bill comes on the same day as the announcement that Oregon has been selected as one of five test markets for the largest deployment of electric vehicles (EVs) and the associated charging station network in United States history. This news was part of a nationwide announcement by the U.S. Department of Energy that also included millions of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) dollars for three Oregon companies in the electric vehicle and battery technology industry.

 

 

 

 

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