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My blogger code: B6 d++ t++ k s u-- f i++ o+ x- e+ l+ c-- (decode it!) |
August 6, 2008
A letter from my senator, Saxby Chambliss, about energy
I'd emailed my Senator a few weeks ago about the energy situation and just got a response. Here it is, and my response to his email. His definition of conservation and mine are a bit different. Yeah sure it was a form letter from a staffer, and my response will be read and deleted by a staffer, but what the hey.
Senator Chambliss.
Thank you for your response. I've been following your efforts with the "Group of 10" and very hopeful that it will lead to the compromises necessary to get on the road to an energy solution. I think that you are showing tremendous leadership in making the effort to reach across the aisle to solve problems that cannot afford to be put off anymore.
One suggestion that I have is that your group add conservation as part of the focus of your working group. I realize that the current administration and presumptive nominee for the GOP have repeatedly denigrated the idea of conservation as being a virtuous endeavor for individuals, and not a part of a comprehensive energy policy, but that position is incredibly short-sighted. The GOP has quite recently spent a good bit of effort ridiculing the effect of tire pressure and tune-ups on fuel efficiency of vehicles, when in truth if the majority of Americans took that simple and painless advice, we would conserve a great deal of oil with very little effort. There are many other areas of low-hanging fruit such as that which all Americans need to be made aware of. We see public service announcements all the time about drugs or drunk driving, so why not create a public awareness campaign for conservation as part of our energy solution? During World War II there was a great emphasis on conservation and recycling to help in the war effort. It was our patriotic duty as Americans to participate. The challenges we face currently are of a magnitude that require a similar level of effort and commitment from all Americans. But in order for that to happen, our leadership has to recognize the value of such efforts and promote them, rather than belittling them as being a well-intentioned folly for idealists.
Once again, I'd like to commend you for your leadership on this issue.
Thank you,
Shawn Gorrell
Dear Mr. Gorrell :
Thank you for your previous correspondence on the energy issue . I appreciate hearing from you.
I share your concerns about the negative impact that rising energy prices are having on Georgia 's families. This is the number one issue facing Georgians today, and it is having a significant effect on family budgets and small businesses.
The key areas of a responsible energy policy that will reduce gas prices, lessen our dependence on foreign oil, and strengthen our economy are: increasing our domestic energy production; improving energy efficiency through technology; increasing conservation; diversifying our nation's energy supply through the use of renewable fuel sources; and ensuring transparency in our futures markets.
Recently, I formed a bipartisan energy working group to craft legislation to address our current energy crisis. We came together because we all believe this issue is too important to fall victim to political games.
On Friday, August 1, 2008, the group unveiled the "New Energy Reform Act of 2008" (New ERA 200. This comprehensive bipartisan energy plan focuses on the aforementioned key areas of increased domestic production, increased energy efficiency, and improved conservation in order to reduce the price of gas and secure our energy future.
The New Energy Reform Act of 2008 has three main components: first, an intensive effort to transition America 's vehicles to non-petroleum based fuels; second, a robust federal commitment to conservation and energy efficiency; and third, targeted, responsible domestic production of energy resources.
The New ERA legislation funds a $20 billion "Apollo Project" like effort to support the goal of transitioning 85% of America 's new motor vehicles to non- petroleum-based fuels within 20 years. This will include $7.5 billion for the research and development of advanced batteries and other major technological barriers to alternative fuel vehicles. Another $7.5 billion will help U.S. automakers and parts makers re-tool and re-equip to become the world leader in making alternative fuel vehicles. Reaching this goal will not only allow the United States to be free from our dependence on foreign oil, it will benefit our economy by energizing our domestic auto manufacturers.
To ease gas prices and protect our environment during the transition, the proposal includes a significant federal commitment to promoting conservation and efficiency. This includes extending renewable energy, carbon mitigation, and energy conservation and efficiency tax incentives, including the production tax credit, through 2012. Furthermore, it would extend and expand the $2,500 tax credit for hybrid electric vehicles. These tax credits will lead Americans to obtain highly fuel efficient vehicles by making them more affordable. These efforts will also provide the stability needed for the renewable energy industry.
To help meet our energy needs until our economy transitions to alternative fuel vehicles, this bill would increase the amount of federal land that is open to oil and natural gas exploration. This would include opening the eastern Gulf of Mexico for production in a manner that is consistent with national security and our military training that occurs there. It would also allow the States of Georgia, North Carolina , South Carolina , and Virginia to opt in for drilling off their shores, while establishing a 50-mile coastal buffer zone for Florida , Georgia , North Carolina , South Carolina , and Virginia where new oil production is not allowed.
Additional oil exploration and increased refining capacity here in the United States will continue to receive my support. It is important that we utilize the resources here in this country whether that includes oil in Alaska , the Outer Continental Shelf, or any of our oil sands or shales.
I will continue to work to address this issue. If we put as much effort into finding a solution to the energy crisis as we do in blaming one political party or another, we can solve this problem.
I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues in a bipartisan manner to address this critical issue. As the Senate moves forward, I will review energy legislation in accordance with these principles, and I will keep your comments in mind.
If you would like to receive timely email alerts regarding the latest congressional actions and my weekly e-newsletter, please
Thank you for your previous correspondence on the energy issue . I appreciate hearing from you.
I share your concerns about the negative impact that rising energy prices are having on Georgia 's families. This is the number one issue facing Georgians today, and it is having a significant effect on family budgets and small businesses.
The key areas of a responsible energy policy that will reduce gas prices, lessen our dependence on foreign oil, and strengthen our economy are: increasing our domestic energy production; improving energy efficiency through technology; increasing conservation; diversifying our nation's energy supply through the use of renewable fuel sources; and ensuring transparency in our futures markets.
Recently, I formed a bipartisan energy working group to craft legislation to address our current energy crisis. We came together because we all believe this issue is too important to fall victim to political games.
On Friday, August 1, 2008, the group unveiled the "New Energy Reform Act of 2008" (New ERA 200. This comprehensive bipartisan energy plan focuses on the aforementioned key areas of increased domestic production, increased energy efficiency, and improved conservation in order to reduce the price of gas and secure our energy future.
The New Energy Reform Act of 2008 has three main components: first, an intensive effort to transition America 's vehicles to non-petroleum based fuels; second, a robust federal commitment to conservation and energy efficiency; and third, targeted, responsible domestic production of energy resources.
The New ERA legislation funds a $20 billion "Apollo Project" like effort to support the goal of transitioning 85% of America 's new motor vehicles to non- petroleum-based fuels within 20 years. This will include $7.5 billion for the research and development of advanced batteries and other major technological barriers to alternative fuel vehicles. Another $7.5 billion will help U.S. automakers and parts makers re-tool and re-equip to become the world leader in making alternative fuel vehicles. Reaching this goal will not only allow the United States to be free from our dependence on foreign oil, it will benefit our economy by energizing our domestic auto manufacturers.
To ease gas prices and protect our environment during the transition, the proposal includes a significant federal commitment to promoting conservation and efficiency. This includes extending renewable energy, carbon mitigation, and energy conservation and efficiency tax incentives, including the production tax credit, through 2012. Furthermore, it would extend and expand the $2,500 tax credit for hybrid electric vehicles. These tax credits will lead Americans to obtain highly fuel efficient vehicles by making them more affordable. These efforts will also provide the stability needed for the renewable energy industry.
To help meet our energy needs until our economy transitions to alternative fuel vehicles, this bill would increase the amount of federal land that is open to oil and natural gas exploration. This would include opening the eastern Gulf of Mexico for production in a manner that is consistent with national security and our military training that occurs there. It would also allow the States of Georgia, North Carolina , South Carolina , and Virginia to opt in for drilling off their shores, while establishing a 50-mile coastal buffer zone for Florida , Georgia , North Carolina , South Carolina , and Virginia where new oil production is not allowed.
Additional oil exploration and increased refining capacity here in the United States will continue to receive my support. It is important that we utilize the resources here in this country whether that includes oil in Alaska , the Outer Continental Shelf, or any of our oil sands or shales.
I will continue to work to address this issue. If we put as much effort into finding a solution to the energy crisis as we do in blaming one political party or another, we can solve this problem.
I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues in a bipartisan manner to address this critical issue. As the Senate moves forward, I will review energy legislation in accordance with these principles, and I will keep your comments in mind.
If you would like to receive timely email alerts regarding the latest congressional actions and my weekly e-newsletter, please
Senator Chambliss.
Thank you for your response. I've been following your efforts with the "Group of 10" and very hopeful that it will lead to the compromises necessary to get on the road to an energy solution. I think that you are showing tremendous leadership in making the effort to reach across the aisle to solve problems that cannot afford to be put off anymore.
One suggestion that I have is that your group add conservation as part of the focus of your working group. I realize that the current administration and presumptive nominee for the GOP have repeatedly denigrated the idea of conservation as being a virtuous endeavor for individuals, and not a part of a comprehensive energy policy, but that position is incredibly short-sighted. The GOP has quite recently spent a good bit of effort ridiculing the effect of tire pressure and tune-ups on fuel efficiency of vehicles, when in truth if the majority of Americans took that simple and painless advice, we would conserve a great deal of oil with very little effort. There are many other areas of low-hanging fruit such as that which all Americans need to be made aware of. We see public service announcements all the time about drugs or drunk driving, so why not create a public awareness campaign for conservation as part of our energy solution? During World War II there was a great emphasis on conservation and recycling to help in the war effort. It was our patriotic duty as Americans to participate. The challenges we face currently are of a magnitude that require a similar level of effort and commitment from all Americans. But in order for that to happen, our leadership has to recognize the value of such efforts and promote them, rather than belittling them as being a well-intentioned folly for idealists.
Once again, I'd like to commend you for your leadership on this issue.
Thank you,
Shawn Gorrell
July 31, 2008 GT-R Update: Shenanigans and a super model disclosure
I noticed that my blog had runneth empty again, so I figured a GT-R status update was in order.
Got my build date a few weeks back, and it is August with a late October/early November delivery.
In the last week or so, I've gotten two emails from dealers in Atlanta (who will remain unnamed) who previously said they'd sold all of their allocations for the year and magically they have a car to sell me. But the catch is they are doing bidding over MSRP, and the minimum bid is 20K over sticker. I'm declaring shenanigans on that, as it is very shady. I understand that this is a high interest car, with very few units shipping to the US, but be honest about how you do business. Don't lie to people and say you've sold your entire allocation, when really you've been holding back so that you can gouge people. Something to understand about the GT-R is that the intent of Nissan was to make a supercar that didn't carry a super price tag. When dealers start bidding wars to make more profit, they are violating that intent. Stories are going around about people who get allocations and then flip them for a profit. I heard a story of one buyer who flipped it and made 35k, for a car they never ended up owning. Personally I'm not interested in flipping mine for a buck. I want the car.
I received the disclosures form to sign, which tells you all of the things you need to know before getting a car like this, mainly about maintenance cost and frequency. Essentially it was "So you want to date a super-model? Well, here's what you need to know. She will be hot as hell and everyone will envy seeing her on your arm, but there is a price. That price is she is very high maintenance, and that isn't cheap. So be advised." They are doing it because of the low price of the car, which might lull someone into thinking it is like owning any other car. Truth is, it isn't like any other car. Tires wear out quicker than you're accustomed to, and they are pricey to replace. Same for brakes, when you replace them, you have to replace the whole ball of wax, and that ain't cheap either. But I knew those things when I ordered the car, and figure it goes with the territory.
Official Site
AskMen Article
Edmunds Review
< 
Got my build date a few weeks back, and it is August with a late October/early November delivery.
In the last week or so, I've gotten two emails from dealers in Atlanta (who will remain unnamed) who previously said they'd sold all of their allocations for the year and magically they have a car to sell me. But the catch is they are doing bidding over MSRP, and the minimum bid is 20K over sticker. I'm declaring shenanigans on that, as it is very shady. I understand that this is a high interest car, with very few units shipping to the US, but be honest about how you do business. Don't lie to people and say you've sold your entire allocation, when really you've been holding back so that you can gouge people. Something to understand about the GT-R is that the intent of Nissan was to make a supercar that didn't carry a super price tag. When dealers start bidding wars to make more profit, they are violating that intent. Stories are going around about people who get allocations and then flip them for a profit. I heard a story of one buyer who flipped it and made 35k, for a car they never ended up owning. Personally I'm not interested in flipping mine for a buck. I want the car.
I received the disclosures form to sign, which tells you all of the things you need to know before getting a car like this, mainly about maintenance cost and frequency. Essentially it was "So you want to date a super-model? Well, here's what you need to know. She will be hot as hell and everyone will envy seeing her on your arm, but there is a price. That price is she is very high maintenance, and that isn't cheap. So be advised." They are doing it because of the low price of the car, which might lull someone into thinking it is like owning any other car. Truth is, it isn't like any other car. Tires wear out quicker than you're accustomed to, and they are pricey to replace. Same for brakes, when you replace them, you have to replace the whole ball of wax, and that ain't cheap either. But I knew those things when I ordered the car, and figure it goes with the territory.
Official Site
AskMen Article
Edmunds Review
< 
