Oregon to Tax Fuel-Efficient Vehicles?

In a ludicrously short-sighted move, Oregon officials have proposed a per-mile tax for hybrid and electric vehicles that don’t often fill up at the pump.  Since the government uses money collected from gas stations to fund road maintenance and repair, they are disinclined to offer incentives for a fuel-efficient and more sustainable auto industry.

The proposed bill would require drivers who get at least 55 miles per gallon to pay a per-mile tax after 2015.  This bill will be considered in the upcoming legislative session, and will need 3/5 votes in the House and Senate.  On an encouraging note, a similar bill was proposed in 2011 and never made it to the House floor.

Hopefully this legislation will be abandoned after short deliberation, but its existence and proposal are very problematic.  In a time when Big Oil already dominates in influence over government decisions, incentives to move towards a green energy economy are critical.  Taxing people who could be inclined to make a change and take the auto industry in a positive direction would be devastating to the progress of a cleaner, more sustainable, and more democratic future.

What to do?  Speak up!  Let your local representatives and government know that it’s time to make forward-thinking green energy options affordable and feasible.  End huge subsidies to Big Oil, and invest in the future instead of burning it up.  There are certainly better ways to collect money for road repair than stifling the rise and momentum of a very worthwhile industry.

Leo DiCaprio with hybrid electric car