ROUSH CleanTech has deployed propane autogas vehicles to fleets across the United States, including Alabama, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas. Last week, senators and congressmen from these states stood up in support of propane autogas through the introduction of the 2011 Propane GAS Act (H.R. 2014/S. 1120) in the United States House and Senate. This legislation encourages 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 a simple extension of existing law, the 2011 Propane GAS Act aims to extend provisions found in both the 2005 Energy and 2005 Highway Bills that established significant 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," said 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."
Over 98 percent of propane autogas used in the United States is produced domestically. By encouraging the use of this clean-burning fuel in commercial fleets, the government is taking strides toward reducing our country's dependence on foreign oil. Propane autogas vehicles emit 12 percent less carbon dioxide, about 20 percent less nitrogen oxide, and up to 60 percent less carbon monoxide than gasoline-powered vehicles. Therefore, passage of the 2011 Propane GAS Act would also help reduce environmental impacts associated with gasoline and diesel fuel use in the nation's commercial and municipal fleets.
ROUSH CleanTech has the broadest line of alternative fuel vehicles that meet stringent CARB certification requirements. ROUSH CleanTech has helped reduce the carbon footprint of large commercial fleets like Frito-Lay, ThyssenKrupp Elevator, CenturyLink, SuperShuttle, Ford Motor Company, Time Warner Cable, Ferrellgas and Heritage Propane by converting portions of their fleet vehicles to propane autogas.
The lead sponsor of this bill in the Senate (S.1120) is Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) with Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO) as original cosponsors. The lead sponsor in the House of Representatives (H.R. 2014) is Congressman John Carter (R-TX) with Congressman Dan Boren (D-OK) and Congressman Mike Rogers (R-AL) as original sponsors.
Last week, President Obama delivered a Federal Fleet Memorandum, which ordered that by December 31, 2015, all newly leased or purchased light-duty 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," said Thompson. "Propane autogas is domestically produced, readily available, and environmentally friendly. It's the leading alternative fuel in the U.S., and the world, today."
