NationStates Jolt Archive

The Most Serene Republic of Jovianica,

NOTING with dismay the profusion of badly written hybrid vehicle proposals;

ANNOYED by the fact that every environmental proposal is "at the expense of industry";

MOTIVATED by some well-written drafts in other areas;

PRESENTS the following attempt to draft an alternative transportation proposal that doesn't stick industry with an unfunded mandate.
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DRAFT

CLEAN TRANSPORTATION INCENTIVE PROGRAM

The United Nations,

ACCEPTING the overwhelming evidence that greenhouse gas accumulation in the atmosphere threatens the long-term health and stability of the biosphere;

ACKNOWLEDGING that while vehicle emissions are not the largest contributor of greenhouse gases, they are a substantial and growing source;

TROUBLED by the regional political and economic effects of fluctuation in petroleum prices;

RECOGNIZING that unfunded mandates imposed upon private industry pose a risk of disrupted growth in industrial and developing nations alike;

RESOLVES that all member nations:

1) Shall pursue, through government support for research and development, a policy promoting alternative-fuel-driven vehicles as a viable substitute for gasoline and conventional diesel engines. Said support shall be in the form of direct government action, targeted government grants and/or tax incentives to public and/or private research institutions, tax incentives for research and development in private industry, or any combination thereof;

2) Shall provide tax incentives for private and commercial ownership of alternative fueled vehicles;

3) Shall provide grants, loans and/or tax incentives for establishment of commercial infrastructure to support private alternative fuel use, including but not limited to fueling stations and training mechanics to service new technologies;

4) Shall replace government-owned vehicles as needed with alternative fueled vehicles, if available;

5) Shall establish a government body or public-private joint venture to study and manage alternatives for development and expansion of low-emission public transporation systems;

FURTHER RESOLVES that large industrialized nations shall assist in the promulgation of alternative-fuel technology in nations with developing economies through grants, loans, scientific and educational exchange programs and/or financing the purchase of equipment and manufacturing resources; and

ESTABLISHES a goal of six percent (6%) of each member nation's government budget to be invested in the programs called for in this resolution.

For the purpose of this resolution, alternative fueled vehicles shall include, but not be limited to: hybrid gas-electric, compressed natural gas, bio-diesel, hydrogen fuel cell and electric powered vehicles.

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Constructive comments, including criticism more substantial than "LIEK OMG THIS SUXXORZ MY ECONOMY WILL DIEEEEEEE," are welcome.

It should be added that alternative fuels must be environmentally friendlier than current petrol - this would all be unhelpful if someone invented an alternative fuel that was worse than petrol, and we were all forced to encourage its use. Also, 4 should replace "available" with "available and practical" - if the only option available is a 10 mph solar-powered car, we don't want to have to replace our military and police vehicles just yet.

A good resolution I'd be glad to support, but I'd seriously suggest a revision of the goal of 6% of government investment being focused on this program. 6% in such terms is a lot - to the point where any nation adhering to the resolution would probably have to make serious cuts in their aid, welfare and education budgets. 0.6% would probably be far more reasonable...(although still quite a large investment! In the largest NS nations it would be in the realms of billions of [insert currency here]

Both good points, _Myopia_. I'll incorporate them straightaway. I'll specify replacement of old government vehicles with suitable alternative fueled vehicles if available, with that satisfy?

Markodonia, I freely admit I pulled that number out of...nevermind. And yes, upon reflection it is rather a lot for governments with half-trillion {unit} budgets. I suppose I should be thinking of a more realistic number - say, the cost of three or four long-range bombers. :rolleyes:

I'll give the amount some thought.

That's fine, and I agree you need to lower the percentage.