Protecting Our Environment
By Congressman Brad Sherman
Recently, I appeared before the House Budget Committee to highlight my support of the $3.75 million in the Department of the Interior Fiscal Year 2011 Budget to acquire 286 acres to protect core habitat in the Zuma and Trancas Canyons in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. I urged my colleagues to include these funds in the final Budget.
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks) released the results of his Federal Issues Questionnaire. The questionnaire was mailed out to approximately 80,000 households in the San Fernando Valley. Thousands of responses have poured into Congressman Sherman’s Washington, DC office since January of this year.
Congressman Sherman surveyed constituents about various issues including health insurance reform and climate change.
Washington, D.C. - Today, the House of Representatives is considering the Comprehensive American Energy Security and Consumer Protection Act(H.R. 6899) which includes legislative language authored by Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA) to promote the use of plug-in electric vehicles, both plug-in hybrids and pure electric.
By Congressman Brad Sherman
California leads the nation in adopting progressive environmental policies. As you may know, the state passed regulations to require motor vehicles, manufactured in the 2009 model year and after, to have reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Under this plan, by 2016, greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles would be about 30% below the 2002 vehicle fleet emissions level.
As we start this New Year, remember that last year marked the 35th anniversary of the passage of the Clean Water Act. The Clean Water Act when originally passed was landmark environmental legislation. It has significantly cleaned up the nation’s oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. But keeping our water clean is an ongoing, never-ending effort.
Taxpayers who purchased a new hybrid vehicle in 2003 could claim a tax deduction of up to $2,000 on Form 1040. Unfortunately, this tax deduction for qualified clean-fuel vehicles is set to be reduced incrementally for purchases in 2004, 2005, and 2006 and expire completely on December 31, 2006.
Currently, the tax deduction is available to purchasers of a Toyota Prius, Honda Insight, or Honda Civic Hybrid and applied to expected models such as the 2004 Ford Escape and a General Motors pickup due in 2005, which average 50 miles per gallon (mpg) in the city.