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

WEST CHESTER, Nov. 1 - State Senator Andy Dinniman wants to expand Pennsylvania’s hybrid-car rebate program so that thousands more Pennsylvanians can afford to purchase these cleaner-running, gas-saving vehicles.

Dinniman will soon introduce legislation that would provide rebates to an additional 4,000 Pennsylvanians a year and increase rebates from $500 to $750 for hybrids such as the Mercury Mariner, the Chevrolet Malibu and the Saturn Aura.

“Pennsylvania’s hybrid-rebate program has successfully encouraged more Pennsylvanians to buy cars that are better for our environment. The program is so successful that it runs out of money early every year,” Dinniman said. “Clearly, residents are willing to pay thousands more for an environmentally friendly hybrid vehicle if they can get a rebate to offset a portion of that cost.”

“This is simply a program that works and should be expanded,” Dinniman said.

Pennsylvania currently provides $3 million a year in hybrid rebates. Senator Dinniman’s legislation would double that amount to $6 million a year.

Those interested in more information about Pennsylvania’s Hybrid Electric Vehicle Rebate program, including a full list of automobiles eligible for rebates, can call the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection at 1-866-294-3854, or go to the department’s Web site at www.depweb.state.pa.us and type in the keyword “alternative fuels.”

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