Legislation has been introduced in Congress that would encourage the use of propane autogas in commercial fleet vehicles by extending provisions in current legislation for propane autogas fuel, propane autogas-powered vehicles and refueling infrastructure through 2016.
Considered an extension of existing law, the 2011 Propane GAS Act (H.R. 2014/S. 1120) aims to extend provisions found in both the 2005 Energy and 2005 Highway Bills that established tax incentives for propane autogas. This legislation includes a 50-cent-per-gallon credit for propane sold for use in motor vehicles, a tax credit to consumers who purchase propane vehicles, and a tax credit amounting to 30 percent of the cost of a fueling station not to exceed $30,000 per station.
“Roush CleanTech applauds the leadership shown by the sponsors of the 2011 Propane GAS Act,” says Joe Thompson, president of Roush CleanTech. “There is an adoption trend coupled with industry interest evident here that will generate attention from many of our nation’s largest fleets. As the nation’s largest consumers of foreign oil, we need to help them with their transition to an American-based fuel like propane autogas.”
The lead sponsor of this bill in the Senate is Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) with Sens. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) as original cosponsors. The lead sponsor in the House is Rep. John Carter (R-Texas) with Reps. Dan Boren (D-Okla.) and Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) as original sponsors.
Last week, President Obama delivered a memorandum that ordered that by Dec. 31, 2015, all newly leased or purchased light-duty federal agency vehicles must be powered by alternative fuels. “President Obama’s push for alternative fuel vehicles in the federal fleet is another reason to support the 2011 Propane GAS Act,” Thompson says.
