OHMGIRL(S) In Olympia!
The Electric Ladies Go To Olympia!
THEY’RE STARTING TO WRITE THE TALK IN WASHINGTON STATE!!!
On January 29, 2009, the first public hearing of
And, of course, Deb was there in the middle of it all, touting the Wonders of Electric Vehicle Driving, and showing off photos of the wonderful Zoe ZENN Car
(www.myspace.com/zoezenncar_debseymour)
Can you say “Z-A-P-P-E-D”?
The proposed legislation will:
1. Provide tax incentives for electric vehicles, batteries, and installation of electric vehicle infrastructure;
2. Promote the use of electric vehicles by fleets operated by the States’ governmental units;
3. Require the installation of public electric vehicle charging infrastructure;
4. Promote education of a workforce capable of maintaining electric vehicles and the infrastructure.
(See *full text* of bill at:
The Results Of The Hearing?
Firstly:
A *thousand* kudos to fellow Seattle Electric Vehicle Association (SEVA) member Stephen Johnsen, who was asked by the House Tech Committee *only 48 hours prior*, to present a 12-minute PowerPoint presentation on Electric Cars and charging stations. Stephen gave a clear, concise, well-put together and thoughtful show. Stephen also bought along a type of charging station typical of existing Marinas and RV Parks (talk to him for details- I get lost in the tech-speak) but it illustrated to the House Committee that charging stations are already out there.
Kudos also to SEVA member and Plug-In America! board member Dan Davids who co-presented with Stephen, bringing in an example of a current lithium ion battery pack (again- I’m lost with the tech-specs, so you’ll have ask him) to show the House Committee that lithium ion packs are not the cumbersome, explosive devices of days past.
SEVA Legislative Committee organizer Jeff Finn (owner/project manager of the “Volt Runner” ) was ill and unable to attend, the hearing but gave his support via email the night before, helping to massage some legislator-appropriate language into the presentation. He was not only missed by us, but also by representative Deb Eddy, D-Kirkland out loud in front of everyone “Get Well Jeff!”, she said to all from the podium 
Secondly:
Every person or group that testified at the hearing was basically in support of the bill! This included those who have some concerns about particular sections and/or wording, namely lobbyists and representatives from the construction and real estate worlds. But even they all expressed interest in very much wanting to work with the HB 1421 Committee to see the bill actually happen!
Thirdly:
Every House Committee member has now heard me gush greatly over Zoe ZENN car and now has a copy of my Infamous Christmas Card of last month: the one with me in my Santa hat leaning on Zoë ZENN car , swinging the extension cord and saying “Hope You Get A Charge Out Of Your Holidays!” I really got a kick out of testifying as a Regular-Person-Who-Just-Happens-To-Drive-An-NEV-Daily-In-Washington-State!
Lastly:
KIRO-TV was there, taping the whole hearing and wound up following me to a meeting I had also scheduled for the same day with Dave Kois and Gene Seymour (no relation- but he’s still a nice guy! who have an electric car conversion company in Olympia, WA called Powered By DC to do a piece on their company and take a ride in their fabulous Toyota RAV4. Dave and Gene want to change the way the world drives- one conversion at a time, and are targeting the SUV market. Definitely check out their website: www.poweredbydc.com.
Is this all awesome news for EV’s or what? OHM, GIRL!
