Sample Email 1
Dear (Legislator's Name):
I am writing to urge you to oppose the California Low Emissions Vehicle bill. This bill will cause some pickup trucks, SUVs and minivans to become harder to get and more expensive. I need my (pickup/SUV/minivan) for the utility it provides. It would be extremely difficult for me to (do my job/pull my boat/carpool my children/other reason) without the use of my (pickup/SUV/minivan). Please oppose this bill when it is your turn to vote on it.
Sincerely,
(Your name and address)
Sample Email 2
Dear (Legislator's Name):
The California Low Emissions Vehicles bill (a.k.a. Clean Car bill) is bad for Minnesota. This bill requires you, our elected officials, to abdicate your lawmaking authority to an unelected body of regulators in California. These California regulators, known as the California Air Resources Board, make regulations for California's air quality and vehicle emissions. They do not take into account the unique qualities of Minnesota--that's your job. Different fuels burn differently. Minnesota's fuel has 10% ethanol, California's has 6%. Minnesota is on track to have 20% ethanol in our fuel by 2012. California has no such goal. The California Emissions bill will restrict certain models of Flex Fuel Vehicles, which are designed to run on E85. Currently, there are several FFV models that are not sold in California because of these strict regulations. Finally, the California Emissions bill will not make our air any cleaner than the current federal regulations. Recently passed federal law has the nation's automotive fleet on track to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2020. We need to reduce emissions as a nation, not on a state-by-state basis. California regulators should not be making laws for Minnesota. Please oppose the California Emissions bill when it is your turn to vote on it.
Sincerely,
(Your name and address)