Postal Vehicle Modernization Act

Bill: 116-hr-7969
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2]
Introduced: 2020-08-07
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Air quality

Alternative and renewable resources

Climate change and greenhouse gases

Congressional oversight

Energy efficiency and conservation

Hybrid, electric, and advanced technology vehicles

Motor vehicles

Postal service

Public utilities and utility rates

U.S. Postal Service
Latest action: action_date: 2020-08-07
text: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform.

Summaries:
action_date: 2020-08-07
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><b>Postal Vehicle Modernization Act</b></p> <p>This bill establishes requirements for U.S. Postal Service (USPS) vehicle purchases and charging stations. The bill's provisions only apply if specified funding is appropriated.</p> <p>Specifically, the bill requires the USPS to ensure that at least 75% of the total number of next generation delivery vehicles purchased using such funds are electric or zero-emission vehicles. The bill provides for a phase-out of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles that are not electric or zero-emission vehicles.</p> <p>The USPS must provide by January 1, 2026, at each postal facility accessible to the public, at least one electric vehicle charging station for use by the public or USPS officers and employees.</p>

tv_txt: I 116th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 7969 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES August 7, 2020 Mr. Huffman (for himself, Mrs. Carolyn B. Maloney of New York , and Mr. Connolly ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform A BILL To authorize funding for the purchase of electric or zero-emission vehicles for United States Postal Service fleet, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Postal Vehicle Modernization Act . 2. Authorization of appropriation for United States Postal Service for modernization of postal infrastructure There is authorized to be appropriated to the United States Postal Service for the modernization of postal infrastructure and operations, including through capital expenditures to purchase delivery vehicles, processing equipment, trailers, and other goods, $25,000,000,000, to remain available until expended, of which $6,000,000,000 shall be for the purchase of vehicles. Any amount appropriated under this section shall be deposited into the Postal Service Fund established under section 2003 of title 39, United States Code. 3. Electric or zero-emission vehicles for United States Postal Service fleet (a) In general Any next generation delivery vehicle purchased by the United States Postal Service using the funds appropriated under section 2 shall, to the greatest extent practicable, be an electric or zero-emission vehicle, and the Postal Service shall ensure that at least 75 percent of the total number of vehicles purchased using such funds shall be electric or zero emission vehicles. In this subsection, the term next generation delivery vehicle means a vehicle purchased to replace a right-hand-drive, long-life vehicle in use by the Postal Service. (b) Medium- and heavy-Duty vehicles (1) Date of enactment and 2030 Between the period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act and ending on December 31, 2029, not less than 50 percent of the total number of new medium- or heavy-duty vehicles purchased by the Postal Service during such period shall be electric or zero-emission vehicles. (2) After 2039 Beginning on January 1, 2040, the Postal Service may not purchase any new medium- or heavy-duty vehicle that is not an electric or zero-emission vehicle. (c) Compliance In carrying out subsections (a) and (b), the Postal Service shall comply with chapter 83 of title 41, United States Code (popularly known as the Buy American Act), and any applicable Federal labor or civil rights laws. (d) Charging stations (1) In general Not later than January 1, 2026, the Postal Service shall provide, at each postal facility accessible to the public, not less than one electric vehicle charging station for use by the public or officers and employees of the Postal Service. (2) Fleet operation The Postal Service shall ensure that adequate charging stations are available at Postal Service facilities to keep the Postal Service fleet operational. (e) Plan and update Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Postmaster General shall submit a plan to carry out this section to the Committee on Oversight and Reform of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate, and the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The Postmaster General shall submit an update and progress report on implementing such plan to such committees not less than once every 2 years beginning on the date the plan is submitted under the previous sentence and ending on the day that is 6 years after such date. (f) Contingent on appropriation The requirements of subsections (a) through (e) of this section shall not apply unless the funds authorized for vehicles under section 2 are appropriated. (g) Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that, as the Postal Service replaces or upgrades its fleet of delivery vehicles, the Postal Service should take all reasonable steps to ensure that its vehicles are equipped with climate control units to protect the health and safety of its mail carriers, especially those working in areas of the country that are subject to extreme temperatures.