... The Energy Commission staff are currently working on developing a Fuel Efficient Vehicle Incentive Program. We are evaluating various vehicles to determine an incentive value for Hybrids and other advance technology vehicles. We hope to have the program in place by mid summer. Once the program is in place, consumers will be able to apply for our program prior to purchasing a Hybrid or fuel efficient vehicle. This program will not provide incentives on a retroactive basis. <br>In addition, as part of this program, we are working on developing a new web site that will provide detail information on how to apply for this Program. This web site should be up around the first week of July. I suggest you check our new web site (www.consumerenergycenter.com &lt;<a href=http://www.consumerenergycenter.com&gt; target=new>http://www.consumerenergycenter.com&gt;</a>) in July. <br><br>Also, you may want to contact the Internal Revenue Services at www.irs.gov &lt;<a href=http://www.irs.gov&gt; target=new>http://www.irs.gov&gt;</a> to inquire about tax credits for Hybrids.

&gt; This program will not provide incentives on a retroactive basis. <br><br>Once again, it appears early adopters will be excluded from any of the proposed incentives. :-(

I suggest that all Prius owners join me in writing the California Energy Commission. Let's let them know that early adoptors should not be penalized for doing the right thing.<br><br>You can send

Has anyone compiled a comprehensive list of states and the rebates/incentives being offered for hybrid vehicles?<br><br>It might be useful to present at the San Diego Regional Clean Fuels Coalition meeting this Friday to help Calif. get moving on this. <br><br>Thanks in advance,<br>Ken

THEIR ANSWER ...Under the state law that pays for this program, you can't go backwards in time to a period before the law was introduced. Hence, it cannot be made retroactive. We certainly applaud you being an early adopter. We hope that many more will follow your lead.<br><br>Bob Aldrich

I'll get my incentive on the next one. I'll have 50,000 miles when the 2003's come on line.

I may be picking nits, but wasn't the "law" introduced when Davis signed the budget? Just because they haven't yet decided how to spend the money shouldn't make a difference(?)<br><br>Cheers,<br><br>Rick

Rick:<br><br>One would think so, wouldn't one? Maybe, with enough pressure from current owners (who may by all rights feel somewhat left out), the California Energy Commission will change their minds about that. I wouldn't bet the farm on it, tho.<br><br>-r

Duslap:<br><br>Would you cross-post your e-mail to the CEC over at the Yahoo! Group message board as well, or give me permission to? There might be a few more Californians who can e-mail the CEC to put pressure on them.<br><br>-r

Feel free to cross post. I usually post to both. In this case, the response was that regulations prevented them from issuing incentives to people who bought before the program was passed, so there may not be much that can be done. But the pressure may be good anyway. It might help change things in the future.<br><br>Just witness the people on these boards who are delaying or considering delaying their Prius purchases because an incentive might be coming. That is really counterproductive.

I just talked to my wife who works on legislation for the State of California and she indicated that THEIR ANSWER ignores the fact that "grandfathering" clauses are included all the time in legislation. Keep writing!<br><br>Reply