Directs the Secretary to report to specified congressional committees on: (1) the effectiveness of the pilot program, including an assessment of the benefits to the environment derived from the projects included in the program as well as an estimate of the potential benefits to the environment to be derived from widespread application of such intermodal transportation activities; and (2) the mechanisms used by the Secretary to ensure that the information and knowhow gained by program participants is transferred among them and to other interested parties, including other project applicants.
Authorizes appropriations.
[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5384 Introduced in House (IH)]
106th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 5384
To establish a pilot program to encourage the use of alternative fuel
vehicles in public transportation, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
October 4, 2000
Mr. Boehlert (for himself and Mr. Lazio) introduced the following bill;
which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish a pilot program to encourage the use of alternative fuel
vehicles in public transportation, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Alternative Fuel Vehicles Intermodal
Transportation Act''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act, the following definitions apply:
(1) Alternative fuel vehicle.--
(A) In general.--The term ``alternative fuel
vehicle'' means a motor vehicle that is powered by--
(i) in whole or in part, electricity,
including that supplied by a fuel cell that is
not powered by gasoline or diesel;
(ii) liquefied natural gas;
(iii) compressed natural gas;
(iv) liquefied petroleum gas;
(v) hydrogen; or
(vi) methanol at no less than 85 percent by
volume.
(B) Exclusions.--The term ``alternative fuel
vehicle'' shall not include any vehicle capable of
operating solely on gasoline or diesel.
(2) Pilot program.--The term ``pilot program'' means the
grant program established under section 4(a).
(3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Transportation.
SEC. 3. PURPOSE.
The purpose of this Act is--
(1) to establish a pilot program to demonstrate the use of
alternative fuel vehicles in linked systems of transportation,
enhance the usefulness of public transportation systems,
protect the environment, and speed the deployment of
alternative fuel vehicle technology; and
(2) to encourage partnerships between the public and
private sectors.
SEC. 4. ALTERNATIVE FUELS INTERMODAL TRANSPORTATION PILOT PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish a competitive grant
program to assist States, localities, and governmental authorities to
purchase, operate, and facilitate the use of alternative fuel vehicles
in linked transportation systems.
(b) Eligible Projects.--To receive Federal assistance under the
pilot program, a proposal shall--
(1) have been made in accordance with the application
requirements of subsection (e);
(2) include only projects that provide new options in a
locality for moving passengers or goods in alternative fuel
vehicles; and
(3) include at least one project to enable passengers or
goods to be transferred directly from one alternative fuel
vehicle to another in a linked transportation system.
(c) Funding Limitations.--
(1) Maximum number of grants.--The Secretary shall not
provide grants to more than 15 applicants under the pilot
program.
(2) Maximum amount.--The Secretary shall not provide more
than $20,000,000 in Federal assistance under the pilot program
to any applicant.
(3) Cost sharing.--
(A) Federal share.--The Federal share of the cost
of any project under the pilot program shall not exceed
50 percent of the eligible costs of the project.
(B) Non-federal share.--Funds apportioned to a
State under section 104(b)(2) of title 23, United
States Code, for the congestion mitigation and air
quality improvement program may be used by the State to
pay for the non-Federal share of the cost of any
project under the pilot program.
(4) Maximum period of grants.--No applicant may receive
Federal assistance under the pilot program for more than 5
years.
(d) Allowable Project Costs.--The cost of a project eligible for
Federal assistance under the pilot program may include only the
following:
(1) The purchase of alternative fuel vehicles, including--
(A) passenger vehicles;
(B) buses used for public transportation or
transportation to and from schools;
(C) delivery vehicles for goods or services;
(D) ground support vehicles at public airports,
including vehicles to carry baggage or push airplanes
away from terminal gates; and
(E) two-wheel bikes, scooters, or other vehicles
for use by law enforcement personnel or other State or
local government employees.
(2) Infrastructure necessary to directly support a project,
including fueling and other support equipment.
(3) Operation and maintenance of vehicles, infrastructure,
and equipment purchased as part of a project with Federal
assistance under the pilot program.
(e) Proposals.--The Secretary shall issue requirements for applying
for grants under the pilot program. At a minimum, the Secretary shall
require that applications be submitted by the head of a State or local
government or a metropolitan transportation authority, or any
combination thereof, and include--
(1) an estimate of the ridership or degree of use of the
projects proposed in the application;
(2) an estimate of the air pollution emissions reduced and
fossil fuel displaced as a result of the projects and a plan to
collect and disseminate environmental data over the life of the
projects;
(3) a description of other existing modes of transportation
to which the projects will connect or the degree to which
proposed modes of transportation will be linked;
(4) a description of how the projects will be sustainable
without Federal assistance after the completion of the term of
the demonstration;
(5) a complete description of the costs of the project,
including acquisition, construction, operation, and maintenance
costs over the expected life of the project; and
(6) a description of which costs will be supported by
Federal assistance and which by assistance from non-Federal
partners, including State and local governments and private
entities.
(f) Criteria.--In evaluating applications under the pilot program,
the Secretary shall consider each applicant's previous experience
involving alternative fuel vehicles and shall approve the proposals
that--
(1) are most likely to maximize--
(A) protection of the environment, including
reductions in air pollution emissions and the ability
of the proposal to help achieve national, State, or
local air quality goals;
(B) enhancement of the local or national public
transportation system, especially the degree to which
the proposal connects various modes of transportation;
(C) nationwide deployment of innovative
transportation technology or important new
configurations of intermodal transportation systems
that increase the use of alternative fuel vehicles;
(D) the amount of goods transported or number of
riders served; and
(E) stimulation of the national or regional
economy;
(2) demonstrate the greatest commitment on the part of the
applicant to fund the proposal and the greatest likelihood that
each project in the proposal will be maintained and expanded
after Federal assistance is exhausted; and
(3) assure a broad geographic distribution of project
sites.
(g) Schedule.--
(1) Publication.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall publish in the
Federal Register, and elsewhere as appropriate, a request for
proposals to undertake projects under the pilot program.
Applications for such proposals shall be due within 180 days of
the publication of the notice.
(2) Selection.--Not later than 180 days after the date by
which applications for grants are due, the Secretary shall
select all proposals to be carried out under the pilot program.
SEC. 5. REPORT TO CONGRESS.
Not later than 36 months after the date of enactment of this Act,
the Secretary shall transmit to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report
containing--
(1) an evaluation of the effectiveness of the pilot program
including an assessment of the benefits to the environment
derived from the projects included in the pilot program as well
as an estimate of the potential benefits to the environment to
be derived from widespread application of such intermodal
transportation activities;
(2) an identification of other applicants that submitted
project applications for the pilot program; and
(3) a description of the mechanisms used by the Secretary
to ensure that the information and know-how gained by
participants in the pilot program is transferred among the
pilot program participants and to other interested parties,
including other applicants that submitted project applications.
SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATIONS.
(a) In General.--There is authorized to be appropriated
$200,000,000 to carry out this Act.
(b) Availability of Amounts.--Amounts appropriated to carry out
this Act shall remain available until expended.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1672-1673)
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
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