I would like to pass on to our friends in the Northwest a communication I received from Kerry Gutknecht, of the WashPIRG, the Public Interest Group in Washington State.
"Our current mission is to pass California-style clean cars standards in the state legislature that will promote the
sale of hybrid and other low-emissions vehicles here.
In order to do this, we are planning an exhibition of low-emissions vehicles in Olympia on February 12th in conjunction with Synergy, a sustainable living conference that attracts people nation-wide. We will also have press and state-lawmakers in attendance, making this a unique opportunity to show off your vehicle.
We are inviting any and all owners of hybrid and other low-emissions vehicles to come to Olympia for the day and show them off to press, lawmakers and the public. Last year's Synergy conference had 2,000 people in attendance and that was without the attention surrounding this year's Clean Cars Campaign.
You probably know that hybrid technology vastly reduces the amount of pollution put out by automobiles, and you may know that vehicle emissions are the biggest source of air pollution in Washington (56%). What you may not know is that in Washington, wait-lists to purchase a low-emission vehicle like a Prius can be six to twelve months long. This is primarily because, unlike California, we are viewed by the auto-industry as a low-priority market. This legislation will change that, and it will encourage competition, decrease dealer mark-ups, and it will reduce car pollution in the state by 25%.
I am interested in any helpful tips or contact information for Car Clubs in Washington. We're hoping to represent all the major manufacturers of hybrid and low-emissions vehicles as well as independently made clean vehicles (solar, bio-diesel, etc.).
All participating car-owners will be thanked in the press conference and we will do our best to provide hospitality to those who are traveling to join us.
If you would like the chance to show off your hybrid, to get you picture in the paper, and to influence public policy, call WashPIRG's Olympia office at (360) 867-6058, or email me at
Cobracomand@hotmail.com."