Page 16 - ATR 2 2014 web

News iN brief,
Continued from page 15
university, both financially and envi-
ronmentally," Chancellor G. David
Gearhart said in the news release.
"Energy Systems Group has done a great
job helping us reach our goal of being
a carbon-neutral campus by the year
2040."

arkaNsas seNaTe race
garNers NaTIoNal aTTeNTIoN
With just over six months to go
before the general election, Arkansas’
air waves have been targeted by national
political parties and special-interest
groups that have taken a particular
interest in the U.S. Senate race between
incumbent Democrat Mark Pryor and
Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Cotton.
Republicans have targeted the seat as
one they need to reclaim majority con-
trol in the Senate.
Each candidate has spent more
than $100,000 on television ads and
outside groups have spent millions
on thousands of television, radio and
Internet ads.
Ads from outside groups—primarily
super PACs and politically active non-
profits which cannot coordinate with
political parties or candidates, but can Ridout said. “That gives extra impetus develop a program to collect motor fuel
accept unlimited contribution—tend to to put your money in those races.” road taxes at the point of purchase for
be more negative. Five outside groups have spent more CNG and LNG.
According to campaign-finance than $100,000 on television ads in the Only 300 CNG vehicles in
data compiled by the Sunlight U.S. Senate race, so far. Patriot Majority Alabama currently have decals. The
Foundation, 11 groups have spent a USA has spent the most, $303,975 for decal program is difficult to implement
combined $2.4 million opposing Pryor 524 commercials opposing Cotton. on out-of-state CNG vehicles and does
and Cotton, so far. Slightly more than Americans for Prosperity has spent the not cover LNG vehicles. The legislation
$1.4 million has been spent opposing second-most, $274,407 for 509 com- would tax CNG and LNG in the same
Cotton. About $960,000 has been spent mercials opposing Pryor. fashion as gasoline and diesel.
opposing Pryor, according to data from “This legislation creates a level
the foundation - a nonpartisan, non- alabama legIslaTUre playing field, and it will help expand
profit that tracks campaign contribu- approves cNg, lNg Tax the market for alternative fuels,” says
tions. aT THe pUmp Phillip Wiedmeyer, president of the
Washington State University A bill approved unanimously by the Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition. “It will
Government Professor Travis Ridout Alabama state legislature and signed ensure that Alabama doesn’t lose motor
said the 2012 presidential election may into law by Gov. Robert Bentley is fuel tax revenue as more companies and
have set the stage for early ads in battle- changing the way motor fuel road taxes individuals shift from traditional fuels
ground states like Arkansas. are collected on natural gas sold in the to cleaner-burning, domestically pro-
“There’s so much money out there state. duced alternatives.”
this year, and I think most observ- The bill would provide a tax holiday
ers agree that control of the Senate is for natural gas used in vehicles and give
about a 50-50 chance that it’ll change,” state agencies until Oct. 1, 2016, to 

16 aRkaNSaS tRuckiNg RepoRt | issue 2 2014