URGENT!! Senate Bill S1766 to call for scrapping of cars 15 years or older

[89FHPLX]

I received an email on another mailing list that I'm on that had all
the trappings of an "internet hoax." I'm sure many of you have
received messages like this before.

Anyway, this message was about Senate Bill S1766, which is the 2002
Energy Bill, or something like that. There is a provision in it,
Section 803, which *seems* to call for scrapping of cars 15 years or
older. This has the potential to DIRECTLY affect our hobby. 1987
Mustangs are 15 years old already, and the Fox body goes back to 1979.
I don't even have to mention that this affects the old musclecars, as
well.

Now, like I mentioned, this looked like another internet hoax to me,
designed to instill hysteria among automotive enthusiasts. However,
I did some research, and it seems that this is an actual bill.

Below is an excerpt of the text of Section 803 of S1766. Remember,
this is government writing, so it's not easy reading, but you should
be able to pick out the part about scrapping cars. Visit
www.summitracing.com for a "cut and paste" letter you can email to
your Senators (Bob Graham and Bill Nelson). You can find their
websites/email addresses at www.senate.gov.

Here is the URL for Section 803 of Senate Bill S1766:

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/D?
c107:1:./temp/~c107cEvlUk:e198302:


SEC. 803. ASSISTANCE FOR STATE PROGRAMS TO RETIRE FUEL-INEFFICIENT
MOTOR VEHICLES.

(a) ESTABLISHMENT- The Secretary shall establish a program, to be
known as the `National Motor Vehicle Efficiency Improvement Program,'
under which the Secretary shall provide grants to States to operate
programs to offer owners of passenger automobiles and light-duty
trucks manufactured in model years more than 15 years prior to the
fiscal year in which appropriations are made under subsection (d) to
provide financial incentives to scrap such automobiles and to replace
them with automobiles with higher fuel efficiency.

(b) STATE PLAN- Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment
of an appropriations act containing funds authorized under subsection
(d), to be eligible to receive funds under the program, the Governor
of a State shall submit to the Secretary a plan to carry out a
program under this subtitle in that State.

(c) ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA- The Secretary shall approve a State plan
and provide the funds under subsection (d), if the State plan--

(1) requires that all passenger automobiles and light-duty trucks
turned in be scrapped;

(2) requires that all passenger automobiles and light-duty trucks
turned in be currently registered in the State in order to be
eligible;

(3) requires that all passenger automobiles and light-duty trucks
turned in be operational at the time that they are turned in;

(4) restricts automobile owners (except not-for-profit organizations)
from turning in more than one passenger automobile and one light-duty
truck in a 12-month period;

(5) provides an appropriate payment to the person recycling the
scrapped passenger automobile or light-duty truck for each turned-in
passenger automobile or light-duty truck;

(6) provides a minimum payment to the automobile owner for each
passenger automobile and light-duty truck turned in; and

(7) provides, in addition to the payment under paragraph (6), an
additional credit that may be redeemed by the owner of the turned-in
passenger automobile or light-duty truck at the time of purchase of
new fuel-efficient automobile.

(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- There are hereby authorized to
be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section such sums
as may be necessary, to remain available until expended.

[Mustang_289]

Good info! I was shocked at first reading your post - I know our Government wants more control over our lives. But we still cast the votes to re-elect them.

After reading the snapshot you submitted - the Feds would provide grants to states and states would "provide financial incentives" to upgrade cars and light vehicles 15 years or older.
This simply means a slight tax credit - not the government will force you to rid 15 year vehicles.

[Mr 5 0]

89FHPLX:

I checked this out too and it's very real. SEMA is mounting a letter-writing drive against it, as they should.

Scary, as it's not simply a 'tax-credit' plan but it would give grants (money) to states that require vehicles over 15 years old be turned in to be scrapped. This isn't voluntary, folks.

Now, states can pass up the grants and not enact such scrapping regulations but you know some will go ahead in order to get the government loot (paid for with our tax money, by the way).

I have strong doubts this Democrat-sponsored bill will get far but it's dangerous to those who own older cars of any type. This provision of the bill is attempting to treat old cars like soda cans and pay a redemption fee for them if turned in for scrap, like it or not. It wouldn't be so bad if you could choose to do this, but the bill states that 'States will require all passenger automobiles and light-duty trucks to be scrapped. No options there.

This is the kind of crap politicians pull when they can hide it in a bill about 'saving energy' as a response to terrorism. Bull.
It's yet another in an unending list of power-grabs and usurpation of personal freedom to live as we wish without government intrusion.

Now - under the guise of 'saving energy' - the feds want to force us to scrap our cars if they get too old! Fat chance.

I have a feeling that if this section of this Democrat bill ever did get passed, exemptions would be made for poor people, hobbyists (us) and restored vehicles. Still, you never know and we would be fools to simply trust the government on this one.

I suggest we write or at least e-mail our respective congress-critters and especially our Senators to protest this section of the bill. Claim poverty or just love of your well-running 'Stang but complain. No complaints and the congress-critters think everyone loves the idea or more likely, no one really cares. Not true for us, so let 'em know! The squeaky wheel gets the grease, especially in Washington, D.C. I know, I've done it.

To paraphrase a great American, Charlton Heston;

They'll have to pry my cold, dead fingers off the steering wheel before they take my LX to the crusher!

[95mustanggt]

Well I guess that would seriously kill any chance of creating a "Classic" car now wouldn't it!

Don't worry guys, we could all go to Canada and do what every we want there. I mean who is going to oppose us, the Canadian Armed Forces! LOL Me and 4 buddies back home could knock them out

On a serious note, it's stuff like this that really hurt. Think of the culture that would be destroyed! Think of the poor people who would lose out. What about car part sales people and businesses!! There are a lot of people that would lose out. Let's hope this dies out!

[StoplightWarrior]

Are you kidding me!?!?!

This is government BS!!!

I'm writing letters on this one!!!

[Fox Body]

I will assume this has nothing to do with cars (of any age) that are registered and insured-- or does it?

This is absolutely ludicrous. What kind of earthling comes up with this crap!!!

Maybe I'll have to read up on this a little more for my own knowledge.......

[Unit 5302]

Behold what every bill would have looked like had Al Gore become president.

I can't even imagine the billions of dollars this would cost all taxpayers should the states actually approve it. Scrapping older cars because they are less fuel efficient, lol. Who was the moron who came up with that? I think an 87 Mustang GT gets WAY better fuel economy than a new Dodge Durango. Proof tree huggers are stupid.

[89FHPLX]

Damm!!! this aint good.. We gotta do something about this.. Summit has a letter we can print out and send it to the senate.

I doing it, all of you should to.

[joe4speed]

What a load of Dung! GRRRR

[BowTie Eater 5 Liter]

What is the likelyhood of this bill actually happening???

[1969Mach1]

That has to be the stupidist thing I've ever heard. Makes me glad I live in Canada. But I'd like to move to the states some day in your nice warm climet. Here you have to get your emission tested if it's under 20 years old I believe and it has to pass the test. If it is older it is considered a classic or antique and they figure it's not drivin everyday so your fine. They worry about these cars but look at all these buses, trucks and every other big vehicle that doesn't have to be tested that puts out 10x the polution. Or how about these big factories that polulute the air 10000x more then a car does, I'm sure if it goes threw in the states, which I don't think it will happen but if it does it will come to Canada. I'd like to see the goverment come get my car, that'll be a cold day in hell.

Don't worry boys and girls,
If they make you give up your car you can all move up to Canada with me. =) We'll have a Mustang Ranch.

Take Care,
§am

[Mr 5 0]

Originally posted by BowTie Eater 5 Liter

What is the likelyhood of this bill actually happening???

That depends on a lot of factors.

The Democrats control the Senate but only by one v
ote so they have to compromise with the Republicans to get much passed. This section of the bill is probably a bargaining chip for the Democrats ("We'll drop this part if we can keep that other part").
This is how things get done in Washington, D.C.

With the cost to the federal treasury this section of the bill would incur, not to mention the inconvenience and howls of protest it should generate from both poor folks who have to drive old cars and the rest of us who rebuild, restore and modify older cars, I doubt it will ever pass. However, I don't believe we should just ignore it and then - should it actually get through congress and be voted into law as part of a 'terrorism-fighting' energy bill - start panicking and complaining. Too late then.

Now is the time to respond, before this stupid provision gets 'legs' and the uninformed types begin to believe forcing citizens to turn their old cars into the state to be scrapped is, somehow, a good idea. It obviously isn't, and the arrogance of the Democrats in proposing this power-grab under the guise of 'energy conservation' needs to be opposed and shown for the socialist idea it truly is.

Remember, most people don't drive 15-year-old cars and the concept sounds very logical; 'Old cars pollute more so scrap them'. The point that most 15-year-old cars are rebuilt, restored or otherwise in good condition will escape most non-car-oriented people.
Don't depend on the average citizen understanding this part of the bill, because he/she won't be affected by it in any way.

Hence they ignore it and another piece of freedom is gone and this time, it hits home when you get an 'Official' State Notice that a state -appointed appraiser will be out to view your old 'Stang, make you a 'fair' offer (riiiight) and take possession of your car - immediately - to be scraped at the official state-designated scrapyard nearby.

An Orwellian but all too possible scenario should this stupid, socialist bill pass.

Frankly, saying 'It can't happen here' is not going to stop it, unlikely as it's passage may seem right now. Stranger things have happened. Remember, when we're talking about politicians and Washington, D.C. - Be afraid, be very afraid.

[PKRWUD]

That was very well put. This Bill will not be passed anytime in the foreseeable future, but the fact that thousands upon thousands of letters against it were written and received will play a role. It will send a message to both the Republicans and their "equal" (cough, choke, gasp) counterparts. It will tell the Republicans that they have some support from the community against it, and it will tell the Democrats that they now have another future bargaining tool that they will likely use over and over again, as a "negotiable' add-on to other Bills they may have. In other words, don't be surprised to see this bill, in one form or another, over and over and over again. Don't let that keep you from writing letters against it over and over and over again, either!

Take care,
-Chris

[MidNiteBlu 5.0]

I agree thatwill probably never get passed but it is scary to think that it could happen. I think it is so lame how democrats think we need to conserve energy after we were attacked by terrorists WTF!? What we need is more intelligence so we can prevent this from happening again which IMO means no more welfare! Welfare sickens me especially how most of the people on welfare dont give anything back to our country they just take our countrys money away. I might be a little naive about this but i know im not the only one who feels this way. And about the car scrapping deal i believe that people who own classics are going to treat them better than people who own newer ones in some cases. I think it was in Mustang and Fords this month where they had an editorial that said that the teenager who takes the time to work on thier own car will be a better eprson then the teenager whose parents bought them a brand new car. Thats probably why my insurance is so much higher

Later