The Hummer
Photo Source: Automotive Buzz
The Hummer is a telling indicator of the energy present in the United
States' highly inefficient yet encouraged by existing energy and tax policy.
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Facts on Inefficient Transportation & Inappropriate
Policy
See Contributor's Guide below.
- Developed for military applications, the Hummer family was introduced
to the world during the first Gulf War.
- It was adapted for consumer use at the urging of the current governor
of California, the Honorable Arnold Schwarzenegger.
- The U.S. government does not require the Hummer H2 to meet the federal
fuel efficiency regulations established under the Energy Policy and
Conservation Act of 1975 because its gross weight exceeds 8500 lbs.
- GM is not required to disclose the vehicle's fuel economy. Dealers
estimate that it gets about 10 mpg under regular driving conditions.
- Sales of the Hummer H2 are not factored into the assessment of whether
GM is achieving the federally mandated corporate average fuel efficiency
(CAFE) standards for passenger cars and light trucks.
- Small business owners and the self-employed who purchase a Hummer
H2 qualify for a Section 179 deduction under U.S. tax code because the
vehicle tips the scales at more than 6000 lbs. The full purchase price
may be deducted, leading to a tax savings that may total tens of thousands
of dollars.
- The prices paid for gasoline and other energy commodities fail to
account for the "true costs" associated with their use. "True cost"
considerations include air and water quality, public health, national
security, climate change, etc.
Visions of Inefficient Transportation
& Inappropriate Policy
See Contributor's Guide below.
Contributor's Guide
The Hummer is just one indicator of today's inefficient transportation system
and of energy-related policies that encourage wasteful uses, promote fossil
fuel consumption, and discourage the adoption of cleaner and green options.
Data, information, art, and photos are sought that address topics such as
the ones listed below:
Facts on Inefficient Transportation & Inappropriate Policy
- Vehicle ownership
- Boat ownership
- Fuel use and emissions
- Traffic and congestion
- Environmental, land use, and other policy anomalies
- Subsidies
- Externalized costs
- Your ideas?
Visions of Inefficient Transportation & Inappropriate Policy
- Gridlocked roads and bridges
- Fuel-devouring vehicles and boats
- Empty transit
- Auto-centric culture
- Uneven playing field
- True costs
- Inadequate accounting
- Your ideas?
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