[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 87 (Thursday, June 21, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1180-E1181]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          FEDERAL EFFICIENT MOTOR-VEHICLE FLEET ACT, H.R. 2263

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 21, 2001

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, our Nation is plagued by an energy crisis 
that is only becoming worse. The Bush Administration has taken a pro-
active stance on energy through the release of its National Energy 
Policy in May, 2001. For the past eight years, our Nation was subjected 
to the last Administration's `wait and see' energy policy that was 
reactive rather than pro-active.
  Mr. Speaker, there is a saying in the military that ``the best 
leaders, lead by example.'' That trait must be adopted by the Federal 
Government, it must lead by example. That is why I am sponsoring the 
Federal Motor-Vehicle Fleet Lead By Example Act of 2001. The Act 
mandates that ten-percent of the vehicle fleet purchased by the Federal 
Government must be comprised of hybrid-Electric vehicles (HEV) and 
other high-efficiency vehicles, which are vehicles that are powered by 
alternative sources of energy (sources other than gasoline and diesel). 
Hybrid-Electric Vehicles are motor-vehicles with fuel-efficient 
gasoline engines assisted by an electric motor.
  These Hybrid-Electric Vehicles' motors and their engines work more 
efficiently than the standard internal combustion engine. The upside of 
these engines is that they do not have the driving limitations that 
all-electric cars have. While the technology seems new to us, the 
global automobile manufacturers have been experimenting with fuel-
efficient technology since the 1970's.
  These vehicles boast increased gas mileage that in some cases is 
exceeding conventional vehicle gas mileage by as much as 25%. Toyota's 
Prius, a four-seater, averages 52 miles per gallon in stop and go city 
traffic and 45

[[Page E1181]]

miles per gallon on the highway. The braking system recharges its 
batteries and that is why city driving gets better mpg. In 2002 and 
2003 Ford and DaimlerChrysler will release, respectively, a hybrid 
version of its popular Escape and the Durango. These manufacturers are 
expecting the hybrid SUV's (sport utility vehicles) to deliver twenty-
percent better gas mileage than comparable nonhybrid models.
  The Federal Fleet Report (FFR) for FY 1999, reports that the Federal 
fleet has increased 1.32% with an operating cost of 2.10 billion 
dollars. Mr. Speaker, by mandating that 10% of the Federal fleet be 
comprised of hybrid-electric or high-efficiency vehicles powered by 
alternative sources of energy (sources other than gasoline and diesel), 
will, not only lower our overall consumption of gasoline, but will save 
the tax-payers of our great Nation millions of dollars in the cost of 
gasoline. Additionally, these hybrid and high-efficiency vehicles are 
reported to be more environmentally friendly than our conventional 
vehicles.
  Our colleagues, on both sides of the aisle, are promoting the use of 
alternative sources of energy to power our vehicles, heat our homes, 
and to run our lights. Now we have the opportunity to lead by example 
starting with the Federal vehicle fleet. The Federal Government must 
seize this opportunity to conserve our resources and to promote 
environmentally friendly vehicles, and we should do it today.

                               H.R. 2263

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. REQUIREMENT REGARDING PURCHASE OF MOTOR VEHICLES 
                   BY EXECUTIVE AGENCIES.

       (a) In General.--At least ten percent of the motor vehicles 
     purchased by an Executive agency in any fiscal year shall be 
     comprised of high-efficiency vehicles or hybrid electric 
     vehicles.
       (b) Definitions.--In this Act:
       (1) The term ``Executive agency'' has the meaning given 
     that term in section 105 of title 5, United States Code, but 
     also includes Amtrak, the Smithsonian Institution, and the 
     United States Postal Service.
       (2) The term ``high-efficiency vehicle'' means a motor 
     vehicle that uses a fuel other than gasoline or diesel fuel.
       (3) The term ``hybrid electric vehicle'' means a motor 
     vehicle with a fuel-efficient gasoline engine assisted by an 
     electric motor.
       (4) The term ``motor vehicle'' has the meaning given that 
     term in section 3(l) of the Federal Property and 
     Administrative Services Act of 1949 (40 U.S.C. 472(l)).
       (c) Pro-Rated Applicability in Year of Enactment.--In the 
     fiscal year in which this Act is enacted, the requirement in 
     subsection (a) shall only apply with respect to motor 
     vehicles purchased after the date of the enactment of this 
     Act in such fiscal year.

     

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