2 Bills that would bolster the use of Nat Gas

Natural gas trucks
The NAT GAS Act, S. 1408 and H.R. 1835, would provide tax credits for the purchase of natural-gas-fueled vehicles and the construction of infrastructure necessary to fuel these vehicles. The Senate version would authorize up to $30 million in annual grants to help manufacturers develop more effective engines. The total cost would be $4.5 billion.

CAP estimates that converting a significant portion of medium and heavy trucks and buses to natural gas could save 1.2 million barrels of oil per day by 2035. Further, the Senate Democratic Policy Committee notes that, “The natural gas industry…estimated that this program will create more than 100,000 direct manufacturing and labor jobs and more than 450,000 indirect jobs.”

Senate NAT GAS Act supporters include Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and conservatives Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Tom Coburn (R-OK). The House bill has 146 cosponsors. These include more than 60 Republicans such as staunch conservatives Reps. Ron Paul (R-TX), Dan Burton (I-IN), and the current and former heads of the National Republican Congressional Committee.

Electric cars
The Electric Vehicle Deployment Act, S. 3442 and H.R. 5442, would speed the transition to electric vehicles by creating a $400 million pilot program to help up to 15 communities create electric vehicle recharging infrastructure for plug-in hybrid and all electric vehicles, such as the Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf.

Both the Senate and House versions have bipartisan cosponsors. Sens. Byron Dorgan (D-ND), Lamar Alexander (R-TN), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) penned the Senate bill. Alexander is third in the Senate Republican leadership. Lead House sponsors are Reps. Ed Markey (D-MA) and Judy Biggert (R-IL).