Endorsements
A list of people and organizations who have publicly endorsed the e-Drive bill.
The Natural Resources Defense Council provided the following endorsement on Feb. 23, 2010:
On behalf of the Natural Resources Defense Council and its over 1.3 million members and activists, I write in support of H.R. 4399, the American Electric Vehicle Manufacturing Act. We applaud your leadership in introducing this bill, which will help spur the development of an electric vehicle manufacturing industry in the United States through a large order of electric-drive vehicles for the United States Postal Service fleet.
Six environmental organizations: Blue Green Alliance, Ecology Center, Environment America, National Wildlife Federation, Sierra Club, and Southern Environmental Law Center provided the following endorsement on Feb. 12, 2010:
We are writing to express our support for postal vehicle electrification. Our organizations recognize the important role that vehicle electrification can play in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and oil dependence in the transportation sector. We support measures to speed electrification of the commercial vehicle fleet, and boost job creation and American leadership in domestic battery and advanced vehicle manufacturing. We underscore the important role government fleet purchases can play in driving forward technological advance in this industry. Both the Postal Service Electric Motor Vehicle Act and the American Electric Vehicle Manufacturing Act (H.R. 4399) represent important steps toward bringing new technologies into the fleet.
Felix Kramer, Founder, The California Cars Initiative:
e-Drive provide jobs building new and converting existing postal vehicles. It can lower the postal fleet's operating costs, improve the environment for postal workers and the general public. These vehicles will help reduce our dependency on fossil fuels and our greenhouse gases. The program will help build demand for batteries and other components whose costs will decrease with high-volume production. And it points to a future where most new vehicles and many of those already on the road can plug in. Taken together, it's a way to move the broad trend to electrify transportation into high gear."
Ruth Y. Goldway, Chairman, U.S. Postal Regulatory Commission:
"This legislation uses the unique characteristics of the Postal Service's existing transportation network to rapidly increase the market for electric vehicles in the United States. It provides well-deserved support for the Postal Service and a reasoned plan for the simultaneous development of the electric grid and non-polluting automobiles. I congratulate Congressman Serrano on his foresight and leadership putting forward this program to create green jobs, an improved electric grid and - most importantly - a revitalized mail delivery system."
Jon Wellinghoff, Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission:
"Done right, electric vehicles provide a huge opportunity to add stability and versatility to the grid and because of their crucial storage capacity they can stimulate private investment in renewable electricity."
William Burrus, President of the American Postal Workers Union:
"It will be good for the Postal Service, good for the environment and good for the economy."
Terry Boston, President and CEO of PJM, the largest Independent System Operator in the country:
"PJM is very supportive of congressional direction that helps to advance vehicle-to-grid technology. ISOs are the non-profit entities that operate the nation's electrical grid. Vehicle-to-grid is a credible technology that has been successfully demonstrated within the PJM territory for more than two years. Electric vehicle integration is both a challenge and an opportunity that PJM is prepared to facilitate in the near-term. A highly visible fleet of United States Postal Service vehicles would not only showcase clean and economic transportation, but with smart charging would provide a positive contribution to the electric grid."
