Diesel Emissions Reduction Act of 2005

Bill: 109-s-1265
Sponsor: Sen. Voinovich, George V. [R-OH]
Introduced: 2005-06-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Automobile engines
Commerce
Commercialization
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Construction equipment
Diesel motor
Economics and Public Finance
Emissions trading
Environmental technology
Federal aid to air pollution control
Government lending
International Affairs
International environmental cooperation
Marine engines
Motor vehicle pollution control
Railroad equipment
Revolving funds
Science, Technology, Communications
Technological innovations
Technology transfer
Transportation and Public Works
Trucks

Summary:
action_date: 2005-06-16
text: 
Diesel Emissions Reduction Act of 2005 - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to: (1) provide grants and low-cost revolving loans, on a competitive basis, to certain governmental and nonprofit agencies for projects to reduce diesel emissions; and (2) support grant and loan programs administered by the states to achieve reductions in diesel emissions. Requires the allocation of at least 50 percent of the funding under this Act for the benefit of public fleets.
 
Requires the Administrator to give priority to proposed projects that will, among other things: (1) maximize public health benefits; (2) serve areas with the highest population density that are poor air quality or nonattainment areas; and (3) maximize the useful life of any retrofit technology.
 
Requires the Administrator to submit to Congress a biennial report evaluating the implementation of programs under this Act. 
 
Directs the Administrator to establish a program for informing industry stakeholders (e.g., equipment manufacturers, state and local air quality managers, community organizations, and public health and environmental organizations) and foreign countries with air quality programs of the benefits and uses of technologies for diesel emission reductions. 

action_date: 2005-09-07
text: 
Diesel Emissions Reduction Act of 2005 - (Sec. 3) Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to: (1) use 70% of the funding provided by this Act to provide grants and low-cost revolving loans, on a competitive basis, to a regional, state, local, or tribal agency or port authority with jurisdiction over transportation or air quality and to certain nonprofit organizations (eligible entities) to reduce diesel emissions; (2) provide not less than 50% of such funding to eligible entities for the benefit of public fleets of diesel vehicles; and (3) provide not less than 90% of such funding to eligible entities for projects using a certified engine configuration (new, rebuilt, or remanufactured engine configuration with a more stringent set of emission standards) or a verified technology. Defines &quot;verified technology&quot; as a pollution control technology (including a retrofit technology), advanced truckstop electrification system, or auxiliary power unit that has been verified by the Administrator or the California Air Resources Board. 
 
 Limits to 10% the amount of funding available to eligible entities for the development and commercialization of emerging technologies. Defines &quot;emerging technology&quot; as an uncertified technology for which an approvable application and test plan has been submitted for verification to the Administrator or the California Air Resources Board).
 
Sets forth grant and loan application requirements for eligible entities, priorities for awarding such grants or loans, and criteria for use of funds provided by this Act.
 
(Sec. 4) Requires the Administrator to: (1) use 30% of the funding provided by this Act to support state grant and loan programs to reduce diesel emissions; (2) provide certain guidance to states for such programs; (3) make funding allocations; and (4) award additional funding (50%) to states that match allocations. 
 
(Sec. 5) Directs the Administrator, not later than one year after funds are first available under this Act and biennially thereafter, to submit to Congress reports evaluating the implementation of programs under this Act.
 
(Sec. 6) Directs the Administrator to: (1) establish a program to inform industry stakeholders (equipment owners and operators, emission and pollution control technology manufacturers, engine and equipment manufacturers, state and local air quality managers, community organizations, and public health, educational, and environmental organizations) of the benefits of eligible technologies (defined as verified or emerging technologies); (2) develop nonfinancial incentives to promote the use of such technologies; (3) develop appropriate guidance to provide credit to a state for emission reductions created by eligible technologies though a Clean Air Act state implementation plan; and (4) in coordination with the Department of Commerce and industry stakeholders, inform foreign countries with air quality problems of the potential of U.S. technology to reduce emissions in those countries. 
 
(Sec. 7) Affirms that nothing in this Act affects any authority under the Clean Air Act in existence prior to the enactment of this Act.
 
(Sec. 8) Authorizes appropriations for FY2007-FY2011.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2005-09-07
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 202.
action_date: 2005-09-07
text: Committee on Environment and Public Works. Reported by Senator Inhofe with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 109-133.
action_date: 2005-09-07
text: Committee on Environment and Public Works. Reported by Senator Inhofe with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 109-133.
action_date: 2005-07-20
text: Committee on Environment and Public Works. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2005-07-12
text: Committee on Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Clean Air and Nuclear Safety. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 109-960.
action_date: 2005-06-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. (text of measure as introduced: CR S6762-6763)
action_date: 2005-06-16
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S6761-6762)
action_date: 2005-06-16
text: Introduced in Senate