Hearing on Public Transit and Climate Change

Hearing Date: April 3, 2007 

There will be a public hearing of the House Transportation Committee at the Statehouse in Montpelier for climate change and public-transit needs on Tuesday, April 3, 2007 from 6-9pm.

Please come out and let your legislators know that you support this legislation. This is a great opportunity to applaud the work of the Committee in recognizing the significant contribution of automotive exhaust to greenhouse gas emissions

About 50 percent of Vermont’s GHG emissions come from the transportation sector

Support the direction of the bill to support public transit, provide incentives for energy efficient vehicles and disincentives for inefficient gas-guzzlers, exempting work vehicles

Bill Summary

*Authorizes spending and appropriates funds for the public transit program in 2008:

Equipment Replacement
State Transportation Funds $323,555
Federal Toll Credits 31,000
Federal Funds for capital assistance 645,445

Marketing Public Transit Services
State Transportation Funds $100,000

* Establishes a public transportation-critical care transportation study committee

To assist with the transportation needs of elderly and disabled citizens

* Provides a reduction from 6% to 5% in the motor vehicle purchase and use tax for vehicles which achieve 30 or more miles per gallon

* Imposes a surcharge of $150 on the purchase or use of a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight of 10,000 pounds or less, of model year 2007 or later, rated for 20 miles per gallon or less in city driving. Work vehicles are exempt.

The revenue derived from the surcharge is appropriated as follows:

DMV computer system upgrade $10,000
DMV registration forms $20,000
ANR for developing labeling score required in labeling program $50,000

* Provides that no new motor vehicle with a model year of 2009 or later shall be sold or leased in Vermont without a vehicle emissions label on it