Dear John,

Just over a week ago, a dangerous ice storm caused widespread power outages in communities throughout Oregon. At the same time, a deadly winter storm swept across Texas, as temperatures plummeted below those in Alaska. These storms are two of many recent weather events that confirm what Oregonians in every corner of our state already know: The climate crisis is here, and it’s already affecting the health and safety of our families and the vitality of our economy.

That’s why it couldn’t be more important that we come together to address America’s biggest source of greenhouse gas pollution -- the pollution that is fueling the climate crisis -- by transitioning away from gasoline-powered vehicles. So this week, I introduced the Electric Cars Act -- legislation that would address our addiction to dangerous fossil fuels, by fully extending a tax credit for electric vehicles for 10 years, and strengthening critical charging infrastructure.

Right now, existing tax credits of up to $7,500 are available for the purchase of an electric vehicle. But those credits are capped at 200,000 vehicles per manufacturer, and many domestic manufacturers have already hit that cap. As a result, Americans are currently being incentivized to buy electric vehicles from overseas. If we’re going to lead the new green economy, that has got to change.

I’m urging all of my colleagues to join me in supporting the Electric Cars Act so we can get rid of that 200,000 electric vehicle cap, and allow all consumers to access this tax credit for the next ten years, regardless of which manufacturer they choose. That way we can make it easier for American families to decrease their carbon footprints, while also supporting the production of electric vehicles right here in the United States.

We don’t have to choose between tackling climate chaos and creating jobs for American workers. Please know that I’m going to keep looking for more win-win legislative opportunities to bring our communities together in both of those efforts. 

All my best,
Jeff