HR 3239 IHRHCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To promote advanced plug-in hybrid vehicles and vehicle components.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

July 31, 2007

Mr. BOUCHER (for himself and Mr. DINGELL) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Oversight and Government Reform and Science and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concernedCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To promote advanced plug-in hybrid vehicles and vehicle components.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SECTION 1. ADVANCED BATTERY LOAN GUARANTEE PROGRAM.

(a) Establishment of Program- The Secretary of Energy shall establish a program to provide guarantees of loans by private institutions for the construction of facilities for the manufacture of advanced vehicle batteries and battery systems that are developed and produced in the United States, including advanced lithium ion batteries and hybrid electrical system and component manufacturers and software designers.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Requirements- The Secretary may provide a loan guarantee under subsection (a) to an applicant if--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) without a loan guarantee, credit is not available to the applicant under reasonable terms or conditions sufficient to finance the construction of a facility described in subsection (a);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) the prospective earning power of the applicant and the character and value of the security pledged provide a reasonable assurance of repayment of the loan to be guaranteed in accordance with the terms of the loan; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) the loan bears interest at a rate determined by the Secretary to be reasonable, taking into account the current average yield on outstanding obligations of the United States with remaining periods of maturity comparable to the maturity of the loan.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Criteria- In selecting recipients of loan guarantees from among applicants, the Secretary shall give preference to proposals that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) meet all applicable Federal and State permitting requirements;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) are most likely to be successful; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) are located in local markets that have the greatest need for the facility.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Maturity- A loan guaranteed under subsection (a) shall have a maturity of not more than 20 years.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Terms and Conditions- The loan agreement for a loan guaranteed under subsection (a) shall provide that no provision of the loan agreement may be amended or waived without the consent of the Secretary.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(f) Assurance of Repayment- The Secretary shall require that an applicant for a loan guarantee under subsection (a) provide an assurance of repayment in the form of a performance bond, insurance, collateral, or other means acceptable to the Secretary in an amount equal to not less than 20 percent of the amount of the loan.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(g) Guarantee Fee- The recipient of a loan guarantee under subsection (a) shall pay the Secretary an amount determined by the Secretary to be sufficient to cover the administrative costs of the Secretary relating to the loan guarantee.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(h) Full Faith and Credit- The full faith and credit of the United States is pledged to the payment of all guarantees made under this section. Any such guarantee made by the Secretary shall be conclusive evidence of the eligibility of the loan for the guarantee with respect to principal and interest. The validity of the guarantee shall be incontestable in the hands of a holder of the guaranteed loan.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) Reports- Until each guaranteed loan under this section has been repaid in full, the Secretary shall annually submit to Congress a report on the activities of the Secretary under this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(j) Authorization of Appropriations- There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(k) Termination of Authority- The authority of the Secretary to issue a loan guarantee under subsection (a) terminates on the date that is 10 years after the date of enactment of this Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 2. DOMESTIC MANUFACTURING CONVERSION GRANT PROGRAM.

Section 712 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16062) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) in subsection (a)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) by inserting `and components thereof' after `sales of efficient hybrid and advanced diesel vehicles';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) by inserting `and hybrid component manufacturers' after `grants to automobile manufacturers';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) by inserting `, plug-in electric hybrid,' after `production of efficient hybrid';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) by inserting `and suppliers' after `automobile manufacturers'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) by adding at the end the following: `Priority shall be given to the refurbishment or retooling of manufacturing facilities that have recently ceased operation or will cease operation in the near future.'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(b) Coordination With State and Local Programs- The Secretary may coordinate implementation of this section with State and local programs designed to accomplish similar goals, including the retention and retraining of skilled workers from the such manufacturing facilities, including by establishing matching grant arrangements.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(c) Authorization of Appropriations- There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 3. PLUG-IN HYBRID VEHICLE PROGRAM.

(a) Plug-In Electric Drive Vehicle Program-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) ESTABLISHMENT- The Secretary of Energy (in this section referred to as the `Secretary') shall establish a competitive program to provide grants on a cost-shared basis to State governments, local governments, metropolitan transportation authorities, air pollution control districts, private or nonprofit entities or combinations thereof, to carry out a project or projects to encourage the use of plug-in electric drive vehicles or other emerging electric vehicle technologies, as determined by the Secretary.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) ADMINISTRATION- The Secretary shall establish requirements for applications for grants under this section, including reporting of data to be summarized for dissemination to the Department, other grantees, and the public, including vehicle and component performance and vehicle and component life cycle costs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) SELECTION CRITERIA-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) PRIORITY- When making awards under this subsection, the Secretary shall give priority consideration to applications that encourage early widespread utilization of such vehicles and are likely to make a significant contribution to the advancement of the production of such vehicles in the United States.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) SCOPE OF PROGRAMS- When making awards under this subsection, the Secretary shall ensure that the programs will maximize diversity in applications, manufacturers, end-uses and vehicle control systems.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) AUTHORIZATIONS OF APPROPRIATIONS- There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the program under this subsection, such sums as may be necessary.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) CERTAIN APPLICANTS- A battery manufacturer that proposes to supply to an applicant for a grant under this section a battery with a capacity of greater than 1 kilowatt-hour for use in a plug-in electric drive vehicle shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) ensure that the applicant includes in the application a description of the price of the battery per kilowatt hour;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) on approval by the Secretary of the application, publish, or permit the Secretary to publish, the price described in subparagraph (A); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) for any order received by the battery manufacturer for at least 1,000 batteries, offer batteries at that price.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Electric Drive Education Program-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall develop a nationwide electric drive transportation education program under which the Secretary shall provide--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) teaching materials to secondary schools and high schools; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) assistance for programs relating to electric drive system and component engineering to institutions of higher education.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) ELECTRIC VEHICLE COMPETITION- The program established under paragraph (1) shall include a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle competition for institutions of higher education, which shall be known as the `Dr. Andrew Frank Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle Competition'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) ENGINEERS- In carrying out the program established under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall provide financial assistance to institutions of higher education to create new, or support existing, degree programs to ensure the availability of trained electrical and mechanical engineers with the skills necessary for the advancement of--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) plug-in electric drive vehicles; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) other forms of electric drive vehicles.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this subsection such sums as may be necessary.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 4. PLUG-IN HYBRID DEMONSTRATION VEHICLES.

(a) In General- The Secretary of Energy shall establish a program to make grants to owners of domestic motor vehicle manufacturing or production facilities for the production of plug-in hybrid electric motors or conversion modules to be used as electricity storage capacity for utilities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Programs- The Secretary of Energy shall establish programs to determine how to best integrate plug-in hybrid vehicles into the electric power grid and into the overall electricity infrastructure. These programs shall be conducted in 5 separate regions across the United States at the discretion of the Secretary.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Pilot Programs- The Secretary shall establish during the first 6 months of 2008, with other governmental entities, no less than 5 separate pilot programs to convert at least 1000 vehicles in each program to plug-hybrid electric vehicles.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Federal Contribution- The Department of Energy shall contribute up to 50 percent of the cost of conversion modules.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Installation- Installations of electricity storage devices shall be undertaken by trained and certified mechanics.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(f) Monitoring- The Secretary of Energy shall require the monitoring of reliability, efficiency, breakeven costs, and customer satisfaction for a period of 3 years.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(g) Authorization of Appropriations- There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 5. INCENTIVE FOR FEDERAL AND STATE FLEETS FOR MEDIUM AND HEAVY DUTY HYBRIDS.

Section 301 of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (42 U.S.C. 13211) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) in paragraph (3), by striking `or a dual fueled vehicle' and inserting `, a dual fueled vehicle, or a medium or heavy duty vehicle that is a hybrid vehicle';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by redesignating paragraphs (11), (12), (13), and (14) as paragraphs (12), (14), (15), and (16), respectively;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) by inserting after paragraph (10) the following new paragraph:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(11) the term `hybrid vehicle' means a vehicle powered both by a diesel or gasoline engine and an electric motor or hydraulic energy storage device that is recharged as the vehicle operates;'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) by inserting after paragraph (12) (as so redesignated by paragraph (2) of this section) the following new paragraph:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(13) the term `medium or heavy duty vehicle' means a vehicle that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) in the case of a medium duty vehicle, has a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 8,500 pounds but not more than 14,000 pounds; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) in the case of a heavy duty vehicle, has a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 14,000 pounds;'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 6. INCLUSION OF ELECTRIC DRIVE IN ENERGY POLICY ACT OF 1992.

Section 508 of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (42 U.S.C. 13258) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) by striking `The Secretary' in subsection (a) and inserting `(1) The Secretary'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by adding at the end of subsection (a) the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) Not later than January 31, 2009, the Secretary shall allocate credit in an amount to be determined by the Secretary for acquisition of--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) a hybrid electric vehicle;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C) a fuel cell electric vehicle;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(D) a neighborhood electric vehicle; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(E) a medium-duty or heavy-duty electric, hybrid electric, hybrid hydraulic, or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle.'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(e) Definitions- In this section:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) FUEL CELL ELECTRIC VEHICLE- The term `fuel cell electric vehicle' means an on-road or nonroad vehicle that uses a fuel cell (as defined in section 803 of the Spark M. Matsunaga Hydrogen Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16152)).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE- The term `hybrid electric vehicle' means a new qualified hybrid motor vehicle (as defined in section 30B(d)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) MEDIUM-DUTY OR HEAVY-DUTY ELECTRIC, HYBRID ELECTRIC, OR PLUG-IN HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE- The term `medium-duty or heavy-duty electric, hybrid electric, or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle' is an electric, hybrid electric, or plug-in hybrid electric motor vehicle greater than 8,501 pounds gross vehicle rating.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(4) NEIGHBORHOOD ELECTRIC VEHICLE- The term `neighborhood electric vehicle' means a 4-wheeled on-road or nonroad vehicle, with a top attainable speed in 1 mile of more than 20 mph and not more than 25 mph on a paved level surface, that is propelled by an electric motor and on board, rechargeable energy storage system that is rechargeable using an off-board source of electricity.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(5) PLUG-IN HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE- The term `plug-in hybrid electric vehicle' means a light-duty, medium-duty, or heavy-duty on-road or nonroad vehicle that is propelled by any combination of--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) an electric motor and on-board, rechargeable energy storage system capable of operating the vehicle in intermittent or continuous all-electric mode and which is rechargeable using an off-board source of electricity; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) an internal combustion engine or heat engine using any combustible fuel.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(f) Authorization of Appropriations- There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2013.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 7. NEAR-TERM ELECTRIC DRIVE TRANSPORTATION DEPLOYMENT PROGRAM.

(a) Revolving Loan Program-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall establish a revolving loan program to provide loans to eligible entities for the conduct of qualified electric transportation projects.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) CRITERIA- The Secretary shall establish criteria for the provision of loans under this subsection.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Market Assessment and Electricity Usage Program-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- The Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, in consultation with the Secretary and private industry, shall carry out a program--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) to inventory and analyze existing electric drive transportation technologies and hybrid technologies and markets; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) to identify and implement methods of removing barriers for existing and emerging applications of electric drive transportation technologies and hybrid transportation technologies.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) ELECTRICITY USAGE- The Secretary, in consultation with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and private industry, shall carry out a program--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) to develop systems and processes--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) to enable plug-in electric vehicles to enhance the availability of emergency back-up power for consumers; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) to study and demonstrate the potential value to the electric grid of using the energy stored in the on-board storage systems to improve the efficiency of the grid generation system; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) to work with utilities and other interested stakeholders to study and demonstrate the implications of the introduction of plug-in electric vehicles and other types of electric transportation on the production of electricity from renewable resources.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) OFF-PEAK ELECTRICITY USAGE GRANTS- In carrying out the program under paragraph (2), the Secretary shall provide grants to assist eligible public and private electric utilities to conduct programs or activities to encourage owners of electric drive transportation technologies--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) to use off-peak electricity; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) to have the load managed by the utility.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Definition of Qualified Electric Transportation Project- In this section, the term `qualified electric transportation project' includes a project relating to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) ship-side or shore-side electrification for vessels;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) truck-stop electrification;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) electric truck refrigeration units;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) battery-powered auxiliary power units for trucks;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) electric airport ground support equipment;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) electric material/cargo handling equipment;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) electric or dual-mode electric freight rail;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(8) any distribution upgrades needed to supply electricity to the qualified electric transportation projects; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(9) any ancillary infrastructure, including panel upgrades, battery chargers, in-situ transformer, and trenching.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Authorization of Appropriations- There are authorized to carry this section such sums as may be necessary.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 8. STUDYING THE BENEFITS OF PLUG-IN HYBRID ELECTRIC DRIVE VEHICLES AND ELECTRIC DRIVE TRANSPORTATION.

(a) Study-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) CITY CARS- Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary of Transportation in consultation with the Secretary of Energy and appropriate Federal agencies and interested stakeholders in the public, private and non-profit sectors, shall study and report to Congress on the benefits of and barriers to the widespread use of a potentially new class of vehicles known as city cars with performance capability that exceeds that of low speed vehicles but is less than that of passenger vehicles, and which may be battery electric, fuel cell electric, or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Such study shall examine the benefits and issues associated with limiting city cars to a maximum speed of 35 mph, 45 mph, 55 mph, or any other maximum speed, and make a recommendation regarding maximum speed.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- Such sums as may be necessary are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Definitions- In this section--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) NONROAD VEHICLE- The term `nonroad vehicle' has the meaning given that term in section 216 of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7550), or vehicles of the same classification that are fully or partially powered by an electric motor powered by a fuel cell, a battery, or an off-board source of electricity.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) PLUG-IN ELECTRIC DRIVE VEHICLE- The term `plug-in electric drive vehicle' means a means a light-duty, medium-duty, or heavy-duty on-road or nonroad battery electric, hybrid or fuel cell vehicle that can be recharged from an external electricity source for motive power.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) PLUG-IN HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE- The term `plug-in hybrid electric vehicle' means a light-duty, medium-duty, or heavy-duty on-road or nonroad vehicle that is propelled by any combination of--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) an electric motor and on-board, rechargeable energy storage system capable of operating the vehicle in intermittent or continuous all-electric mode and which is rechargeable using an off-board source of electricity; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) an internal combustion engine or heat engine using any combustible fuel.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink