FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 13, 2007

CONTACT: MARTIN INDARS
PHONE: 610-692-2112
mindars@pasenate.com

HARRISBURG (Dec. 13) - The Pennsylvania Senate has overwhelmingly approved Senator Andy Dinniman’s plan to expand Pennsylvania’s hybrid-car rebate program, which is one part of the Alternative Energy Investment Act. The entire bill will now go before the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for a vote.

Senator Dinniman wants to double the size of Pennsylvania’s Hybrid Electric Vehicle Program from $3 million to $6 million a year and increase the size of the rebates from $500 to $750.

If the House and the governor approve the legislation, an additional 2,000 Pennsylvanians a year will receive a rebate for buying hybrid vehicles such as the Saturn Aura, the Chevrolet Malibu and the Mercury Mariner, three of 13 different hybrids currently eligible for the rebate.

“Hybrid vehicles use less gas and are better for our environment. It just makes sense for the Commonwealth to encourage their use,” Dinniman said. “My Senate colleagues have agreed with me that we need to expand our hybrid-rebate program, and I’m hopeful that House members and Gov. Rendell will do the same.”

The Senate approved the Alternative Energy Investment Act on Wednesday by a vote of 44 to 5.

“We need to invest more in alternative energy and invest more in energy produced right here in Pennsylvania,” Dinniman said. “It’s the right thing to do for our economy. It’s the right thing to do for our environment.”

“Our overall strategy is to rely less on oil and other fossil fuels and more on other sources of energy that are friendlier to our environment,” Dinniman said. “I’m proud to say my plan to expand the hybrid-car rebate program is part of that strategy.”

For more information, call Senator Dinniman’s office at 610-692-2112 or e-mail andy@pasenate.com.

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