Since I've been pointing out all the stupid bills proposed in the General Assembly, I just thought I'd highlight a really good one, by my own State Senator, Mary Margaret Whipple (D-31).
SB 551 Purchase of energy efficient vehicles.
Provides that any passenger-type vehicles purchased or leased by the Commonwealth shall be of the highest fuel economy and lowest pollutants available for the vehicle's intended purpose.
Great job by Sen. Whipple. Now, how about state tax credits for purchase of hybrid vehicles, for installation of energy-efficient features in homes and businesses, for renewable energy? How about Virginia joins with California, New York, Maine, New Jersey, Vermont, Massachusetts, Oregon, Washington, Rhode Island, Connecticut and Pennsylvania on rules to sharply reduce carbon dioxide emissions and requiring the auto industry to make vehicles more energy efficient over the next decade? Since George W. Bush and our fine Republican Congress obviously aren't going to do anything until Florida and both coasts of the United States are under 20 feet of water (not to mention all the extinct polar bears), it's time for states like Virginia to fill the void. This is an urgent matter; it's time haul ass of say goodbye to the late, great Planet Earth!