The prospect of neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs) being driven around local communities continues to grow.
Monroe already has passed an ordinance allowing NEVs on city streets. Darlington is hosting a public meeting about NEVs at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the senior center, and Albany's Police, Fire and License Committee is discussing an NEV ordinance at 6:30 p.m. today at village hall.
"This year there's been a significant increase (in NEV inquiries), and I attribute that to the economy," Darlington Mayor Dave Breunig said. "If people want this, then we'll go for it. Why not? That's why we want to hear what the public has to say."
All of these municipalities should be applauded for responding to a phenomenon that's gaining steam.
Monroe and Darlington had people approach their city councils or police officers, asking about driving NEVs on city streets. Albany's Village Board is not waiting for that. It's being proactive and examining an NEV ordinance before being approached.
"Every community seems to be enacting an ordinance governing it," Albany Village President Larry Hanson said. "Instead of someone coming to us and saying, 'I want to buy an NEV, what do I do?' we want to have something already in place."
Either way, these municipalities are seeing that NEVs are not, as some people claim, just a fad. The economy continues to struggle. Gas prices, while no longer at record highs, still are prohibitive for many people, and many are choosing to live closer to where they work.
In small communities like Monroe, Darlington and Albany, that equates to NEVs being a perfect way for these people to get around, at a much lower cost to them, and the environment.
Any efforts by other municipalities in Green and Lafayette counties should be supported by city councils, village boards and residents.
The wave of the future is starting now; being proactive always is a better approach than being reactive.
Monroe already has passed an ordinance allowing NEVs on city streets. Darlington is hosting a public meeting about NEVs at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the senior center, and Albany's Police, Fire and License Committee is discussing an NEV ordinance at 6:30 p.m. today at village hall.
"This year there's been a significant increase (in NEV inquiries), and I attribute that to the economy," Darlington Mayor Dave Breunig said. "If people want this, then we'll go for it. Why not? That's why we want to hear what the public has to say."
All of these municipalities should be applauded for responding to a phenomenon that's gaining steam.
Monroe and Darlington had people approach their city councils or police officers, asking about driving NEVs on city streets. Albany's Village Board is not waiting for that. It's being proactive and examining an NEV ordinance before being approached.
"Every community seems to be enacting an ordinance governing it," Albany Village President Larry Hanson said. "Instead of someone coming to us and saying, 'I want to buy an NEV, what do I do?' we want to have something already in place."
Either way, these municipalities are seeing that NEVs are not, as some people claim, just a fad. The economy continues to struggle. Gas prices, while no longer at record highs, still are prohibitive for many people, and many are choosing to live closer to where they work.
In small communities like Monroe, Darlington and Albany, that equates to NEVs being a perfect way for these people to get around, at a much lower cost to them, and the environment.
Any efforts by other municipalities in Green and Lafayette counties should be supported by city councils, village boards and residents.
The wave of the future is starting now; being proactive always is a better approach than being reactive.
