5.4. ERMUSR 03-20-2007 - Laserfiche WebLink

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!1 fuel vehicles, such as PI-IEVs. Specifically, Rcpresentative~ack Kingston (R-GA) introduced H.R. 4409, the Fuel Choices for American Security Act of 2005, in early December 2005 with strong bipartisan support. In the Senate, Senator Evan Bayh (D-IN) introduced similar '~, legislation, S. 2025, the Vehicle and Fuel Choices for American Security Act. In addition, a well-attended briefing for congressional staff was held on PHEVs in November 2005. In 2006, ;~ H.R. 6203, the Alternative Energy Research and Development Act, was passed by the House. The bill included the language, with a few minor changes to the text, from H.R. 5538, the Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle Act of 2006, which was introduced b}' Representative Lamar ;~ Smith (R-TX). H.R. 6203 authorized $150 million for PHEVs Research and Development and Demonstration through 2008. Because of other issues included in H.K. 6203 that were more controversial than the PHEVs provision (and given election-year constraints), the Senate did not pass a similar bill before adjournment of the 109th Congress. Representative Judy Biggert (R-IL) plans to reintroduce this bill in the 110th Congress and include the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle language from Representative Lamar Smith's bill. Mr. Smith also plans to reintroduce his legislation as a stand alone bill. In mid January of 2007, Senator Evan Bayh (D-IN) introduced a broad bill to "promote the national security and stability of the United States economy by reducing the , dependence of the United States on oil through the use of alternative fuels and new technology," S. 339, that has 24 bipartisan cosponsors and includes language to promote PHEVs. In addition, Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bingaman (D-NIv1) has discussed a plan to reduce our dependence on foreign sources of energy that ~n~ll include provisions on PHEVs, but has not yet introduced a bill as of this writing. Finally, President Bush in his State of the Union address on January 23, 2007, mentioned the need to "press on" with battery research for PHEVs. Clearly, there is great interest in promoting this technology in Congress and the Administration, but it will ultimately take research dollars to achieve the technological breakt}lroughs necessary to make PHEVs affordable for average Americans. L~ Over the past four decades, APPA has supported the development of electric vehicles. In 1966, APPA adopted the first of many resolutions in support of electric vehicle and advanced battery research and development. In 2005, APPA members passed a resolution specifically supporting PHEVs. Today, APPA continues its long tradition of support for electric vehicles, and now specifically plug-in hybrids, and will support all reasonable programs designed to promote their development. Through the "Plug-in Partner" program, APPA is working with h f PHEV f s to t e its o Austin Energy on a national grassroots campaign to highlight the bene automotive industry and lawmakers. In addition, APPA will work to encourage Congress and the Department of Energy to pursue advanced battery technologies to further improve the performance and consumer appeal of plug-in electric hybrid vehicles in any appropriate legislative or administrative action. t