E-Newsletter
Congressman John W. Olver
1111 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515-2101
Tel: 202-225-5335
Fax: 202-226-1224
{insert date}
House Passes Cash for Clunkers Legislation
E-Newsletter June 2009
As you may know, one of the top priorities of the 111th Congress has been to combat global climate change by stimulating a clean-energy economy. I am pleased to announce that on June 9th the House of Representatives took a major step toward this goal by passing H.R. 2751, the bipartisan Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save Act, also known as Cash for Clunkers, with my support. This bill, endorsed by President Obama, would stimulate the struggling auto industry, assist consumers in the market for new vehicles, and help pave the way toward a lower-carbon future.
H.R. 2751 will provide vouchers toward the purchase of new, fuel-efficient vehicles to people who trade in older, less fuel-efficient vehicles. If enacted, it is anticipated to spur the sale of up to one million more fuel-efficient vehicles that will reduce gas consumption by over 250 million gallons. A similar bill is currently awaiting action in the Senate.
H.R. 2751 contains the following provisions for trade-ins:
Cars
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To be eligible for trade-in, old cars must have a rating of 22 mpg or less.
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To receive a $3,500 voucher, consumers must buy a vehicle that gets at least 4 miles per gallon (mpg) more than their old one.
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For a $4,500 voucher, consumers must buy a car that gets at least 10 mpg more.
Light Trucks and SUVs
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To be eligible, old trucks and SUVs must have a rating of 18 mpg or less.
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To receive a $3,500 voucher, consumers must buy a vehicle that gets at least 2 mpg more than their old one.
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For a $4,500 voucher, consumers must buy a vehicle that gets at least 5 mpg more.
The trade-in program would last one year beginning from the date the legislation is enacted and would only apply to vehicles made after 1984. Consumers must purchase new cars and trucks that can either be foreign or domestically manufactured.
For those who wish to take advantage of this opportunity, within 30 days of the legislation’s enactment, the Secretary of Transportation and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency will be required to create a website giving consumers directions for determining whether a vehicle is eligible for trade-in, instructions on participating in the trade-in program and a list of every new fuel efficient vehicle model eligible for vouchers. You may also contact my office for additional information.
For too long, public policy has encouraged the use of gas guzzlers. This approach has contributed to climate change, soaring gas prices, and the failure of our domestic auto industry. Cash for Clunkers is an opportunity to turn the page on these unsustainable policies by jump-starting a cleaner domestic economy.
Sincerely,
John W. Olver
Member of Congress
