Auto industry
lobbying against the measure
Raleigh, NC—Senate
lawmakers appear to have killed a measure that would require new purchases of
state government vehicles to be cleaner and more fuel-efficient. The House passed the before the July 4
weekend by a vote of 62 to 46. But the
bill has stalled in the Senate in the face of pressure from automobile dealers
and auto manufacturers.
“Instead of investing in gas guzzlers, the state should be
leading the way in purchasing the most efficient and cleanest vehicles available,”
said Elizabeth Ouzts, State Director of Environment North Carolina.
Last week, the Senate Commerce committee severely weakened
House Bill 2720 by requiring that new state government vehicle purchases be
only in the top 50% of efficiency for their size class, rather than the top
15%. The bill was scheduled for a vote
on the floor of the Senate on Monday night, but was mysteriously referred to
the Finance committee instead. The bill
received a discussion, but no vote in the Finance Committee this morning.
The state purchases about 1,000 new vehicles each year—the vast
majority of which would be required to be more fuel efficient if the version of
the bill, as passed by the House two weeks ago, becomes law.
“In the legislature’s final days, lawmakers could make the
state’s fleet of vehicles more fuel efficient and cleaner—saving taxpayer money
and reducing pollution.” said Ouzts. “I’m
still hopeful they’ll take that common sense step.”
