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Dedicated to conservation and multiple use of public lands for recreation opportunities. Edited by: John Stewart |
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Denying Funds for Maine's Vehicle Scrappage Program
URGENT REGULATORY ALERT
The Maine Department of Environmental Protection has implemented a 3-year pilot program to crush older vehicles. While no funding has yet been allocated, this program was slated to begin November 1, 2000. Rep. Terry McKenney (R-District 42) has agreed to lead an effort this year in the Maine legislature to deny funding to this ill-conceived scrappage effort. He wants to hear from you!
We Urge You to Contact Rep. McKenney and Other Maine Legislators to Support Denying Funds for Crushing Cars.
This scrappage program ignores the fact that many older cars are collector or special interest automobiles. All scrappage programs hold the potential for enthusiasts to lose a valuable source of rare parts for vehicle restoration projects, particularly if no state-supported effort is made to make cars and parts available to collectors for at least a 30-day period before they are crushed.
This scrappage program is unfair to the low-income vehicle owners, many of whom depend on the low-cost transportation that older cars provide and on parts available from older cars in order to maintain their own vehicles.
This scrappage program ignores the fact that scrapping vehicles is not a cost-effective method to reduce emissions. In addition, as witnessed in other states, these programs are difficult to police and subject to fraud.
This scrappage program ignores the fact that scrappage programs don't work. Studies show that most cars scrapped are infrequently used second or third vehicles. In addition, the $1,000-$2,000 vouchers the state plans to give owners who scrap their older cars is not enough money to enable many consumers to purchase a newer car.
This scrappage program ignores the fact that older cars are infrequently used, generally well maintained and not a good source of emissions reductions. Scrappage programs are based on the false perception that old cars are dirty cars and that newer cars are always cleaner. This program cannot even verify that the newer car is cleaner than the scrapped car.
This scrappage program ignores the fact that there are more viable means to decrease emissions, such as voluntary repair and upgrade programs which repair vehicles or retrofit them with new-technology equipment that dramatically improves emissions performance.
To offer your support, write to:
Rep. Terry McKenney
14 Crystal Lane
Cumberland Center, ME 04021
(207) 773-8560
(207) 773-0708 (FAX)
If you need assistance in determining who your own legislators are, please contact the Maine General Assembly's information line at (207) 287-1400. This information can also be obtained by calling the SEMA Washington, D.C. office or via the Internet at www.sema.org/fedleg/legislatorrequest.
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Brian Caudill, Editor |
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