Hatch Hopes to Drive Plug-In

EV world

HATCH HOPING TO DRIVE PLUG-IN HYBRID TECHNOLOGY
Speech with National Press Club explores alternative-fuel cars

Washington — Sen. Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah) extolled the virtues of plug-in hybrid technology, which promises electric-gas cars powered via standard wall sockets, in a speech to the National Press Club today.

The press conference kicked off the Plug-In Partners campaign (www.pluginpartners.org), a national coalition of cities seeking to reduce dependency on foreign oil while improving environmental standards.

Although plug-in cars are not currently on the market, the Plug-In Partners support development of more advanced alternative-fuel automobiles. The group recognized Hatch for his CLEAR ACT (Clean Efficient Automobiles Resulting from Advanced Car Technologies), which Congress passed last summer.

The CLEAR ACT provides, among other items, tax credits for purchasing alternative-fuel vehicles to help drive the market beyond current hybrid technology, creating marketable plug-in and eventually fuel cell vehicles. A full copy of Hatch’s remarks follow:

"I want to thank Mayor Will Winn of Austin, Austin Energy, and the Plug-in Partners Coalition for holding this important event today and for asking me to say a few words.

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