The Senior Scene

The future of car travel in Washington is looking electric.

The Evergreen state will join California in requiring auto companies to require that, starting with 2035 models, new cars have zero tailpipe emissions. Many governments are adopting similar measures. It’s a matter of planetary necessity to reduce carbon emissions, according to advocates of switching from gas to electric.

In 2020, Washington’s Legislature adopted a law directing the state Department of Ecology to adopt California vehicle emissions standards. This summer, California announced that cars with model years of 2035 or later must have zero tailpipe emissions to be sold within the state. Washington will adopt matching regulations, but the Legislature had already set a goal of its own. The transportation plan approved by the lawmakers last spring set a goal five years more aggressive: Cars and light-duty vehicles of model year 2030 or later must be electric.

The 2030 target is not a mandate but a goal, one that the state is developing a strategy to achieve. The 2035 measure would be a law and a requirement once enacted. The Department of Ecology is accepting public comment on the proposal.

“We think of the California regulation as the floor, and we’ve set a new ceiling of trying to get that done by 2030,” said Anna Lising, senior climate advisor to Washington Governor Jay Inslee.

Electric transportation has been an ongoing priority for Inslee, including cars, buses, ferries, and rail. Lising has been instrumental in helping craft those policies. She has answers to some common questions about EVs (electric vehicles).

The town of Steilacoom, WA kicked off this year’s National Drive Electric Week with a gathering of electric car drivers on Sept. 10. Dealerships showed off new models like the Ford F-150 Lightning, and locals brought 28 different EV models to show off. Photos courtesy of Steilacoom Mayor Dick Muri.

Washington and California have just committed to electrify personal vehicles. Why now?

Lising: This goal wasn’t set overnight — it’s been years in the making. There’s a sense of urgency. Transportation is the number-one contributor of carbon emissions in Washington, and our biggest opportunity to make a difference. EVs have entered mass-market production and they are increasingly affordable. We’re at a tipping point. The threat of climate change is clear. EVs have matured. The private sector is on board. Washington’s leadership has helped the state, the nation, and the world get where we are now.

Electric cars may be zero-emissions, but not zero-footprint. Are they definitively better for the environment?

Absolutely. EVs leave a much smaller carbon footprint than vehicles with internal combustion engines. Once built, they don’t keep consuming non-renewable resources and belching carbon emissions. In a state like Washington with such clean electricity, EVs are even better. That said, there’s more work to be done to ensure batteries can be reused and recycled. Reduced emissions will also improve air quality near roadways. Low-income communities and communities of color are disproportionately located in polluted areas, diminishing life expectancy. EVs are better for the environment, and our communities and people.

President Joe Biden sits at the wheel of a new Cadillac EV concept at the 2022 Detroit Auto Show. Recent federal legislation has invested more than $135 billion to advance electric transportation. Photo courtesy of The White House.

EVs accounted for 3.2 percent of light vehicles sold in 2021. What will change by 2030 for EVs to become the popular choice?

EV market share is accelerating — fast. EV registration in Washington has increased nearly fivefold in five years. This past July, 8 percent of new vehicles registered in Washington were battery-powered. New models are shipping and price parity is improving. The most encouraging sign is carmakers leaning in. New models by Audi, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Genesis, GMC, Honda, Hyundai, Jeep, Kia, Lexus, Lincoln, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Tesla, Toyota, and Volkswagen are coming this year. Your favorite car will soon be electric.

Cost is key to any car shopper. How do EVs compare in price and cost of ownership?

EVs are cheaper to own in the long term — especially factoring Washington’s affordable electricity. Electricity in Seattle is about 29 percent cheaper than the national average. Fuel savings can quickly overcome a sticker price premium. EVs have a higher sticker price right now. Clean technology cant be exclusive to wealthy urbanites. That’s why a renewed $7,500 federal tax credit for the purchase of a qualifying EV is important. That’s why the sales tax exemption in Washington is important.

If it breaks, who can fix it? Are EVs reliable?

People love their EVs — an EV manufacturer took the top spot for consumer satisfaction in a recent study by Consumer Reports. EVs have fewer moving parts, which means fewer things that can break down and fewer pieces to maintain. You might also be able to fix a problem with a simple firmware update. EVs still need tire changes. They rely on hydraulic brakes. You still need to take care of them. Some manufacturers might be more reliable than others, but there are advantages to fewer moving parts.

Weather has stressed electrical grids in California and Texas. Is Washington’s grid ready to charge the population’s personal vehicles?

Research by the federal government projects that the nation’s grid is ready for EVs. State forecasting shows that our grid can support EVs through the next decade. We’re actively working with utilities to build new clean energy in the state to meet growing demand. A new wind farm at Rattlesnake Flat is generating 160 megawatts and it created 250 jobs. More than 40 solar farm projects are proposed across the state.

China is out-building America in the production of EVs. Will EV adoption benefit domestic industry?

EVs create jobs. Their “fuel” is made by Washingtonians operating our wind and solar farms, clean power plants, and utilities. Manufacturers like Kenworth are building electric trucks here already. Nationally, the Inflation Reduction Act established incentives for domestic EV manufacture. Lithium is being processed in Nevada. Cars, batteries, and other components can and will be made in America.

Few enjoy 240-volt service near their parking spot. What measures may help the average driver charge overnight?

Everyone should have access to cleaner cars and the means to charge them. Our top priorities include rural distribution, chargers serving multi-family housing, community charging locations, charging to serve low-income residents, and charging along residential streets. We’re working with regional housing authorities to install chargers in lower-income housing developments. We’re also working on “right to charge” laws that prevent landlords and HOAs from prohibiting charging. As we work towards mass adoption, we want everyone to have a place to charge.

Fast chargers seem few and far between. How will future charging infrastructure be distributed?

Right now, the private sector has built chargers where profitable. That hasn’t been good enough. The federal Infrastructure and Jobs Act allocated funding for states to install fast charging stations every 50 miles along highways. The state received $71 million from the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program — at least 40 percent of that prioritizes rural and disadvantaged communities. The state Department of Transportation is launching a mapping tool that shows where chargers are going, and where they’re needed. Washingtonians can use it to suggest charging locations in their communities.

Chargers often require different apps, adapters, and payment methods. Will drivers have to hunt for compatible chargers?

Many Washingtonians are underbanked. They may not have tap-to-pay cards or digital payment accounts. Likewise, your native language should not be a barrier. The state Department of Agriculture is working on rules that require payment and language accessibility. Finally, charging hardware must be universal. This is less of an issue than it used to be. Charging standards are consolidating and federal funding requires interoperability. State-funded stations will meet the Level 2 standard at minimum, and most federally-funded stations will support fast charging.

Are EVs ready for the demands of daily driving and long commutes?

Drivers with gas-powered cars seldom leave home with a full tank. Most EV drivers charge overnight and leave home topped off. Federal research shows that only 5 percent of trips exceed 30 miles. The average commuter drives under 15 miles to work. The typical range of a modern EV is over 200 miles. Range improves with each generation of EVs. Additionally, more charging stations are popping up. You’ll see more soon thanks to funding from both the federal government and our state legislature. Not so long from now, chargers will be operating all over the place.

 

 

By Nick Norman

When it comes to attending therapy around the holidays, clients often fall into one of two camps:  “I’ll be fine without a session next week. It’s the holidays.”  Or, “Oh yes, I’ll definitely need a session next week. It’s the holidays.”

While the song tells us that “it’s the most wonderful time of the year,” the reality can be much more complicated. For some, the holidays can be incredibly lonely. For others, it means returning, however briefly, to old and problematic family dynamics, or even to places where unresolved trauma looms near the surface.

Whatever the holiday season may hold, there are things you can do to make the most of this time of the year.

Plan ahead.

Avoiding decisions gives the decision to others, so be proactive and choose how you’d like to spend your holidays. If you’ll be on your own, how would you like to spend the time? Grant yourself the gift of doing something fulfilling. Solitude can be a true pleasure, so think about your needs and desires, and lead with self-compassion.

While some may gather with relatives, others will gather with chosen family. Reach out to those who have earned your trust and friendship and plan a special holiday gathering. There are few things so fulfilling as sitting around a table with good food, good drink, and good souls.

If you are heading home to be with relatives, it’s still good to plan ahead. Returning to our family of origin can be extremely fulfilling, but it can also bring up a lot of difficult emotions. Think about the troublesome areas in those relationships and how you’ll manage them during your visit. A plan can keep you from being overwhelmed and reacting poorly in the heat of a conflict.

Know your boundaries and your backup plan.

Family has a knack for bringing us back to our old ways. We may tend to blur our boundaries and over-tolerate behavior from family members that we would never put up with in our daily lives.

Decide early where your boundaries are. Keep in mind that boundaries aren’t about controlling others. Instead, they are a clear definition of how you need to be treated and what you will and won’t do. Some family members may be accustomed to your lack of boundaries, so  state clearly and calmly what you need. It may be uncomfortable, but it will be worth speaking up.

You’ll also want to know your backup plan. Some people may be unwilling to respect your boundaries, so be ready to remove yourself if needed. It’s better to step away than to power-struggle, and people may come around if given time to cool down and think. If the disrespect or unkindness merits it, however, give yourself permission to leave. You don’t owe your company to anyone who mistreats you.

Savor the good.

Whether on your own, with friends, or with family the holidays are an opportunity to slow down, return to the present, and savor the good in life. Collectively, it’s been a particularly difficult few years for many of us. We should make room to honor the pain and struggle, but we should also allow ourselves to feel joy and be grateful for the good in our lives, whether big or small. Gratitude has a direct link to happiness and life satisfaction, so take the opportunity to choose positive holiday plans and let the joy sink in.

Lead with compassion.

No matter how we spend our holidays, we should lead with compassion for ourselves as well as for others. It’s easy to become overly critical or impatient, to jump to conclusions or to blame, but these things do little good. They rarely accomplish anything, and they certainly don’t leave us feeling any better. Instead, taking a deep breath and having some patience, including for ourselves, will take us further.

The holiday season is a mixed bag for many, but we can choose how we spend this time and who we spend it with. May we grant ourselves the kindness to meet our own needs without judgment and grant others a gentle word and a grateful smile.

 

Nick Norman is the business relationship manager at Mindful Therapy Group, a network of mental health clinicians serving Washington and Oregon.

 

By Jim Ko

Here in Washington and across the country, millions of seniors will get relief from a new law that will help reduce out-of-control drug prices. For the first time in decades,

After years of calling on Congress to make prescription drugs more affordable, we won the fight for Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices and help millions of seniors save money on their medications. That, in and of itself, is huge. But the new law, passed by Congress and quickly signed by President Biden, will significantly help in other ways. It will also limit the cost of insulin to $35 a month for people on Medicare and put a $2,000 annual cap on what seniors in Medicare plans will have to pay out of pocket for their medications. The new law makes shingles and other vaccines free, and it keeps the heat on drug companies by penalizing them if they raise prices higher than the inflation rate.

It’s estimated the law will save taxpayers and Medicare hundreds of billions of dollars over the next 10 years by lowering out-of-control drug prices.

This is a historic victory, and it couldn’t come at a more needed time. Americans have had to pay three times more for their medications than people in other countries pay for the same drugs. And with the impact of inflation on all of us, seniors who worked hard their entire lives, raising families, building this country and giving back to their communities, shouldn’t have to choose between filling a prescription or buying gas and groceries.

For millions of seniors, this new law is genuinely life-changing. Just ask Pat J. from Seattle. She is taking six medications that cost over $5,400 a year.

“My medications are not a luxury, they’re a necessity,” says Pat. “While we’ve been able to foot the bill so far, I could easily foresee a time when that wouldn’t be the case. And we know of so many seniors who are not as fortunate, and who are making life-altering decisions each day just to be able to afford the medications they need.”

AARP led the fight to lower drug prices for America’s seniors, and we won. Our members, activists and volunteers in Washington and across the country stood up to the big drug companies’ army of lobbyists with their massive war chest and millions of dollars in misleading advertising, and we won. Few people thought it would get done, but we did it.

As sweet as this victory is, though, the fight isn’t over. Drug companies are already spending millions to overturn the new law and stifle competition so they can drive up their record profits and keep charging Americans the highest prices in the world for the drugs they need.

AARP will keep fighting here in Washington and across the country, and we won’t back down until all Americans 50-plus can afford their medication. It’s the right thing to do, and older Americans deserve nothing less.

For more information about the how the new law affects drug prices, Medicare and more, visit www.aarp.org/rx

 

Jim Ko is AARP Washington’s president. 

 

A large majority of older adults reportedly like the idea of self-driving vehicles as a way to get around and make the most of life.

The National Council on Aging (NCOA) and Volkswagen Group of America conducted an online survey of older adults on their attitudes and perceptions about self-driving and ride hailing services, and also their thoughts about alternative transportation. Among the results: Approximately 70 percent of survey participants said they trust the services could enhance their safety, help them achieve tasks outside the home, and do the things they want to do.

About three-quarters of the surveyed seniors said they expect to use self-driving or ride-hailing technologies in the future and agreed it would help them maintain their independence.

“Technology will play a key role in addressing challenges faced by older adults who are no longer able to drive,” said Kathleen Cameron, NCOA’s senior director. “The five most important aspects for them are safety, quality of service, convenience, traffic, and overall comfort of riding in the vehicle.”

Almost 2,500 people over the age of 55, mostly from metropolitan areas, responded to the survey. Sixty-four percent were men.

According to NCOA, older adults often outlive their decision to stop driving by about 10 years for women and seven years for men. They give up their car keys usually due to declining vision, physical, and cognitive abilities, or the use of medications that impair driving. Non-driving older adults need alternative transportation to go to doctor’s appointments, shop, and engage in activities that keep them socially connected, such as attending religious services, visiting friends and family, and entertainment.

Caregivers most often provide transportation for older adults. In some parts of the country, public transportation, taxis, and ride-hailing services like Uber or Lyft may be options. But in many rural areas, those alternatives aren’t available.

In-car technology can play an important role by performing parts of the driving task, and soon, cars will become so advanced they will do the driving entirely from start to end. Self-driving taxis, Uber or Lyft, or public transit shuttles also could be a solution for older adults, say officials of NCOA, an advocacy organization for older adults.

Volkswagen, which joined NCOA in the survey, is among developers of self-driving technology.