Neugebauer speaks about hybrid vehicle tax credits

by Caroline Basile, editor-in-chief

With surging energy costs, more efforts are being made to help ease the spike in fuel expenses.

Texas Congressman Randy Neugebauer recently appeared at South Plains College to explain a tax credit that will help people to afford the purchase of hybrid vehicles.

"One of the things on the front burner for the American people today is high energy costs," Neugebauer said to an audience when he spoke at SPC on Aug. 19.  "We're always looking for different ways of producing new energy here in America and being less dependent on foreign energy sources."

Neugebauer appeared at SPC with Annette Sykora, chairwoman of the National Automobile Dealers Association and owner of Smith Ford Mercury in Slaton and Smith South Plains in Levelland. Local Chevrolet dealership Smith-South Plains brought out a hybrid model Chevrolet Malibu and a Tahoe to show as an example.

Sykora spoke about www.greendrivingusa.com, a website that provides tips on saving gas and other ways to help with fuel conservation. Greendrivingusa.com is a website maintained by the NADA and promotes recycling as well as other ways to help conserve energy.

"Every day, the American people write a check for $2 billion to other countries for fuel." Neugebauer said as he spoke to the crowd. "Instead of sending that money to other countries, we could spend that money here and create more jobs and more energy in the United States."

These efforts are not just in the state of Texas, but nationwide, both Neugebauer and Sykora stressed.  

"There are tax credits available on certain hybrid vehicles as an incentive for people to buy these cars with the latest technology," Neugebauer said. "With these tax credits and rising fuel costs, investing in a vehicle with these hybrid technologies makes a great opportunity for someone looking to buy a new car."

"I think we see a lot of evolving technology," Neugebauer added.  "Hopefully, with all the advancements that are being made, we will be driving cars with not only hybrid technology, but other types also."

Neugebauer went on to say that the hybrid technology is readily available and affordable, two very important aspects for today. The tax credits can be in the amounts of anywhere from $0 to $15,000, based on the gross vehicle weight.  Credits are also available for vehicles that use alternative fuels, such as ethanol and methanol.

"It's important that the every-day person can buy these cars," he said. "There are cars that can run on various fuel cells, but they aren't as affordable."

Neugebauer pointed out that there are things we can do now to help conserve energy and lower costs. 

"There are things we can do for the supply of energy, but there are also ways we can conserve our energy," said Neugebauer. "Using energy efficient light bulbs in our buildings and homes, setting our thermostats lower during the day, and even driving hybrid technology cars can always help. But there are other solutions out there we've yet to harness. America is an energy-dependent nation, and we are exporting billions of dollars that we could be putting back in to the U.S."

Photo by Caroline Basile/Plainsman Press