It seemed like a good idea in Arizona where the capital city's skyline is almost always obscured by a brown cloud of pollution. The state would sweeten existing incentives to encourage Phoenix residents to buy vehicles that use so-called clean fuels, such as natural gas, propane or electricity, and help clean the air. It is a cancer that is eating away at every portion of the state budget. The governor summoned state legislators to a special session beginning Friday, hoping to put the brakes on the program, at least for a year. An estimated 20,000 applications have been filed so far for the program's tax credits and grants, which allow people buying alternative-fuel vehicles or converting conventional vehicles to get a car at a drastically reduced price.
Critics say the program is too generous and riddled with loopholes.
Vehicles that run on both gasoline and propane or natural gas are eligible for the subsidies, but there is no requirement that alternative fuel must be used or even that the vehicle remain in Arizona. There is no minimum size for the alternative fuel tank, and some dealers have installed some as small as 3 gallons. Luxury items such as leather seats and CD players are included when the state's purchase-price subsidy is calculated. The program already was on the books but was seldom used until the Legislature approved the sweeping changes in April to make it more attractive.