Now is not the time to cut tax credits for EVs
While all eyes are focused on chaos in the Middle East, the federal tax credit ($7,500) for electric vehicles is threatened and the Colorado tax credit (now $1,500 – $8,000) will be cut in half. With a price change like that, last year’s record sales will, naturally, plummet. That’s a problem.
Last summer in scenic Denver, there were 40 days when ozone levels exceeded federal standards. Often, we can’t even see the mountains. It’s also getting too hot, all the way from Denver to the high peaks. Saint Mary’s Glacier, along with a lot of other alpine snow, is melting. As a result, the high mountain forest ecosystems that depend on it are threatened.
Instead of continuing to fund tax credits, we are looking to pipelines as cheap and easy options during these tumultuous times. But crazy times actually demand wisdom and perspective. Oil prices are going up and the chaos does not seem to be subsiding. It’s time to curb our carbon production and oil dependence by getting more electric vehicles on the road. We live in Colorado with ample sources of local energy, including the nearly 40% of our electricity that already comes from wind and sun. We have sustainable and secure options.
Tell your elected officials in the state legislature you want to keep tax credits for electric vehicles at their current levels.
Shakti Io Anderson, Lakewood
‘What are the Democrats thinking?’
President Joe Biden pulled out of Afghanistan in utter chaos. Thirteen service members were killed. The loss of military equipment was extensive. It was met with a yawn by the Democrats. For years, Iran has taunted us with “Death to Americans” and full steam ahead for nuclear weapons.
In a well-coordinated plan, President Donald Trump destroyed nuclear plants in Iran and supported our only democratic ally in the Middle East. Under Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s direction, the Democrats are now calling for President Trump’s impeachment. What are the Democrats thinking?
J.D. Moyers, Centennial
Taking stock in America’s greatness
The Trump administration’s meat cleaver attacks on free trade, immigration, inclusion, education, and research are killing the goose that lays golden eggs. Donald Trump will not “Make American Great Again.” He is attacking what made this a great nation.
I will be 80 in September, and I’ve seen what made America great. We are a great country because: 1) we are diverse, comprised of people coming all parts of the world seeking a better life; 2) our aspiration to assure “liberty and justice for all,” while imperfectly realized, has distinguished our country from places where religious intolerance and political and economic oppression are rampant; 3) we have embraced free enterprise, seeking to regulate business only as needed to avoid fraud, monopoly, exploitation, and the destruction of our environment; 4) we have invested in public education to provide opportunity and strengthen our workforce and our democracy; and 5) we have massively invested in research to learn how to improve the quality of human life.
Of course, we need to manage immigration, but these are the reasons students from all over the world want to study in our colleges and universities. Republicans and Democrats who understand what made America great need to join hands and protect what we have inherited.
Paul Lingenfelter, Denver
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