Summary of HR 3221, As Passed by the U.S. House of Representatives, August 4, 2007
“New Direction for Energy Independence, National Security, and Consumer Protection Act” and the “Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2007”
EPACT mandates – Amends EPACT to include hybrid vehicles, plug-in hybrid vehicles, and neighborhood electric vehicles as compliance options for covered fleets. Biofuels studies – DOE is to study: o Challenges inherent in increasing to 2.5 percent the proportion of diesel sold that is biodiesel. o Increasing consumption of ethanol blended gasoline to levels of ethanol that are not less than 10 percent and not more than 40 percent. o Whether optimizing flexible fueled vehicles to operate using E–85 fuel would increase the fuel efficiency of flexible fueled vehicles. o The effects of the use of biodiesel on the performance and durability of engines and engine systems. The study is to look at 5 percent biodiesel; 10 percent biodiesel; 20 percent biodiesel; 30 percent biodiesel; and 100 percent biodiesel. Biofuels dispensers – DOE is to develop a standard for biofuel dispenser systems to promote broader biofuels adoption and utilization. Federal fleet vehicles – No Federal agency shall acquire a light duty motor vehicle or medium duty passenger vehicle that is not a low greenhouse gas emitting vehicle. EPA annually will issue guidance identifying the makes and model numbers of vehicles that are low greenhouse gas emitting vehicles. Federal fleet fueling centers – Agencies are to install at least one renewable fuel pump at each Federal fleet fueling center. Infrastructure – Establishes a grant program for providing assistance to retail and wholesaler motor fuel dealers and other entities for infrastructure to be used exclusively to store and dispense renewable fuel. Franchise agreements – A franchisor may not restrict a franchisee from installing a renewable fuel pump or tank. Renewable fuel dispensers – DOE is to report annually on the market penetration for flexible-fuel vehicles in a geographical area. DOE is to report to the Congress on the feasibility of requiring retailers to install E-85 compatible dispensers. Ethanol blends greater than 10 percent – EPA is to consider the feasibility of the use of ethanol blended gasoline with levels of ethanol greater than 10 percent.
-1– August 2007
Biodiesel specification – Unless ASTM adopts a standard for B20, EPA is to initiate a rulemaking to set standards for biodiesel.
Tax Provisions Plug-in hybrid vehicles – Establishes a $4,000 tax credit for the purchase of a plugin hybrid vehicle. Fueling facilities – Increases the tax credit for AFV infrastructure from $30,000 to $50,000 and extends the credit to December 31, 2010 Biodiesel – Extends the biodiesel tax credit from December 31, 2008, to December 31, 2010.
-2– August 2007