news-record.com

The state would have to buy more fuel efficient cars under a bill the House approved 62-46 Thursday and sent to the Senate for consideration.

"What the bill is, is quite simply (an attempt) to address in some way, shape or form, the problem that is on the forefront of the minds of all of our constituents," said Rep. Charles Thomas, an Asheville Republican and the measure's primary sponsor. "You can't hold a conversation of any reasonable length with any of your constituents ... in which the discussion of fuel prices doesn't come up."

Thomas' bill would require the state to buy vehicles rated in the top 15 percent of fuel efficiency for any class of car it is buying. For example, if the state were buying a full-sized car, it would have to choose from the most fuel efficient full sized cars.

Police cars and vehicles used by fire departments would be exempt.

Rep. Pricey Harrison, a Greensboro Democrat, co-sponsored the bill, while Rep. Nelson Cole, a Rockingham Democrat, was its chief critic during deliberations on the floor.

Cole warned that it could drive up the cost of buying vehicles and complained that some companies with North Carolina ties could be excluded from bidding on the state contract.

"How is it going to affect employees in North Carolina that build those vehicles?" he asked.

But more members favored the provision, saying it would force the state to make better decisions about buying fuel efficient cars at a time when voters were being forced to do the same thing.

"I want to be able to go home and say to my voters that I am making sure the state of North Carolina are making the same smart decisions you are," said Rep. Grier Martin, a Wake County Democrat. "This bill is going to save the state money."