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Massachusetts considering raising fuel tax

Sun, 22 Feb 2009 12:32:00 +0000

In the next 20 years, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts will need to fund a $15 to $19 million gap to maintain its transit system. Since there’s no such a thing as a free lunch, Governor Deval Patrick (D) is currently suggesting an increase in the fuel tax of $0.19 per gallon to raise the money. This would means that the total tax paid on gasoline in the state will be $0.609 per gallon, while the tax on diesel would be $0.669 per gallon. End result: a rollback on a proposed Massachusetts Turnpike toll increase, no fare increase on the Boston public transit system (among other benefits) and making Massachusetts the state with one with the highest gasoline taxes in the U.S. and the fourth highest tax on diesel (right behind Hawaii, New York and Connecticut). Gov. Patrick has also proposed to move registration fees upward for large, gas-guzzling vehicles with the so-called “Hummer Tax.” [Source: Green Car Congress ] Auto Blog: Legislation and Policy , USA Massachusetts considering raising fuel tax originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 22 Feb 2009 13:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green

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Massachusetts considering raising fuel tax

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick considers "Hummer Tax"

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 18:56:00 +0000

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick (D) is said to be considering adjusting registration fees skyward for large, gas-guzzling vehicles while discounting the same for fuel-saving models. The controversial legislation has earned the nickname “Hummer Tax” since it is rather obviously geared towards large SUVs like those sold by GM’s struggling HUMMER division. Opponents to the plan warn that the charges could have a disproportionately large impact on large families and small business owners that rely on large vehicles to perform their daily routines. On the other hand, proponents for the legislation highlight the fact that it’s technology neutral, meaning that any vehicle that manages to save fuel over its competitors would qualify for the savings, regardless of what kind of fuel or technology is being used. There are also movements within the current Massachusetts administration that hope to raise the state’s gas tax or increase the price of tolls. One problem with a gas tax increase is that the move towards more fuel efficient vehicles would lower the amount of income the state is taking in, so an alternative plan would tax drivers based on mileage driven. [Source: The Boston Globe ] Auto Blog: HUMMER , Legislation and Policy , Green Daily , USA Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick considers “Hummer Tax” originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 19 Feb 2009 19:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green

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Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick considers "Hummer Tax"

Montana could follow California on greenhouse gas rules

Sun, 08 Feb 2009 19:02:00 +0000

Auto Blog: Legislation and Policy Montana could soon become the latest state to adopt California emissions rules if a recently-introduced bill becomes law. California still hasn’t received the go-ahead from the EPA to even regulate carbon dioxide emissions but Montana Senate Bill 180 would make CO 2 a regulated pollutant. If the EPA reverses a late-2007 ruling, automakers will have to achieve a fleet average of 44 mpg by the end of the next decade in order to meet the California standards. Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer supports the senate bill and sent a representative to testify at a recent hearing. While Montana would simply adopt the standards set by California, state regulators would have to ensure that automakers meet the standard in the state based on sales. The Montana bill would also extend beyond cars an regulate emissions from commercial and industrial sources. [Source: Green Car Congress ] Montana could follow California on greenhouse gas rules originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 08 Feb 2009 20:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green

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USDA and EPA talking about raising ethanol blend in gasoline

Sat, 07 Feb 2009 14:40:00 +0000

Auto Blog: Ethanol , Legislation and Policy , USA Photo by dichohecho . Licensed under Creative Commons license 2.0. To say that ethanol raises some people’s hackles is an understatement. Still, even with the controversy and the downturn , American ethanol policy may be moving forward. Bloomberg is reporting that new Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack has started talks between his department, the USDA, and the Environmental Protection Agency focused on raising the amount of ethanol that is blended in gasoline in the U.S. For those with short memories, Vilsack used to be the governor of Iowa, a state that grows its fair share of corn. While the Bloomberg report does not mention if Vilsack differentiated between cellulosic or corn-based ethanol, he did say that increasing the blend amounts would be “one way in the short term to create new opportunities [for ethanol].” Since all large-scale ethanol prodution in the U.S. at this point is corn-based, we have to assume Vilsack is referring to that type of biofuel. [Source: Bloomberg ] USDA and EPA talking about raising ethanol blend in gasoline originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 07 Feb 2009 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green

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USDA and EPA talking about raising ethanol blend in gasoline

GM racing manager proud to be building a greener Corvette

Sat, 07 Feb 2009 12:30:00 +0000

Auto Blog: Ethanol , Chevrolet , Lightweight , Racing Click the GT1 Corvette C6R for a high res gallery from the 2008 Detroit Sports Car Challenge Last year, at the same press conference where American Le Mans Series CEO Scott Atherton announced the Green Challenge , Chevrolet general manager Ed Peper announced that the C6R Corvettes would be running on cellulosic ethanol in the GT1 class. After a year of tearing up the tracks powered by non-food-sourced biofuel, GM Road Racing Group Manager Steve Wesoloski is proud of the team’s accomplishments. He also welcomes Michelin on board as the title sponsor of the Green Challenge for 2009 . Ethanol obviously remains a controversial fuel, but Wesoloski said, “It’s going to be a long time before the auto industry finds the one magic solution. In the meantime we’re all looking for answers. This [cellulosic E85] is one. We’re saying you don’t have to be afraid of ethanol.” Lessons learned converting the race car to E85 are being shared with the production side at GM. Now, with a GT2 car under development for its debut later this year, the team is working on weight reduction by using the aluminum chassis of the production Z06 and ZR1 models. Hopefully, some of those weight reduction lessons will also make their way to production GM cars. Gallery: Detroit Sports Car Challenge 08 Photos Copyright (C)2008 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc. [Source: American Le Mans Series ] GM racing manager proud to be building a greener Corvette originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 07 Feb 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green

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GM racing manager proud to be building a greener Corvette

Michigan Governor approves incentives for battery makers

Sat, 17 Jan 2009 13:02:00 +0000

Auto Blog: EV/Plug-in , Hybrid Michigan lawmakers are hoping that this week’s announcement that General Motors will build a battery pack assembly facility in Michigan to support production of the Chevrolet Volt is just the beginning. Governor Jennifer Granholm signed a bill passed by the legislature that will provide up to $335 million in tax credits to companies that build R&D or manufacturing facilities in the state. The hope is to draw more high-tech jobs here and to ensure that American automakers are not totally reliant on imported batteries for future plug-in and hybrid vehicles. So far there have been a number of small scale battery facilities, mostly research institutions, in Michigan. Compact Power Inc, the U.S. subsidiary of LG Chem, has been building the prototype battery packs for the Volt in its Troy, MI facility. Legislators are hoping that actual cell manufacturing plants land here. A123 Systems may be among the first if it gets the $1.84 billion DOE loan it has applied for. [Source: Detroit News ] Michigan Governor approves incentives for battery makers originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 17 Jan 2009 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green|Car Blog Green

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Michigan Governor approves incentives for battery makers