[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 150 (Monday, September 22, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H8539-H8541]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HEAVY DUTY HYBRID VEHICLE RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND DEMONSTRATION ACT 
                                OF 2008

  Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the bill (H.R. 6323) to establish a research, development, 
demonstration, and commercial application program to promote research 
of appropriate technologies for heavy duty plug-in hybrid vehicles, and 
for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 6323

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

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Heavy Duty Hybrid Vehicle 
     Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 2008''.

     SEC. 2. ADVANCED HEAVY DUTY HYBRID VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY 
                   RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, DEMONSTRATION, AND 
                   COMMERCIAL APPLICATION PROGRAM.

       (a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish a 
     competitive research, development, demonstration, and 
     commercial application program (referred to in this Act as 
     the ``program'') to provide grants to applicants to carry out 
     projects to advance research and development and to 
     demonstrate technologies for advanced heavy duty hybrid 
     vehicles.
       (b) Applications.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary shall issue requirements for 
     applying for grants under the program.
       (2) Selection criteria.--The Secretary shall establish 
     selection criteria for awarding grants under the program. In 
     evaluating applications, the Secretary shall--
       (A) consider the ability of applicants to successfully 
     complete both phases described in subsection (c); and
       (B) give priority to applicants who are best able to--
       (i) fill existing research gaps and achieve the greatest 
     advances beyond the state of current technology; and
       (ii) achieve the greatest reduction in fuel consumption and 
     emissions.
       (3) Partners.--An applicant for a grant under this section 
     may carry out a project in partnership with other entities.
       (4) Schedule.--
       (A) Application request.--Not later than 180 days after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall 
     publish in the Federal Register, and elsewhere as 
     appropriate, a request for applications to undertake projects 
     under the program. Applications shall be due not later than 
     90 days after the date of such publication.
       (B) Application selection.--Not later than 90 days after 
     the date on which applications for grants under the program 
     are due, the Secretary shall select, through a competitive 
     process, all applicants to be awarded a grant under the 
     program.
       (5) Number of grants.--The Secretary shall determine the 
     number of grants to be awarded under the program based on the 
     technical merits of the applications received. The number of 
     grants awarded under the program shall not be less than 3 or 
     more than 7, and at least half of the grants awarded shall be 
     for plug-in hybrid technology.
       (6) Award amounts.--The Secretary shall award not more than 
     $3,000,000 to each recipient per year for each of the 3 years 
     of the project.
       (c) Program Requirements; Two Phases.--Each grant recipient 
     shall be required to complete two phases:
       (1) Phase one.--
       (A) In general.--In phase one, the recipient shall research 
     and demonstrate advanced hybrid technology by producing or 
     retrofitting one or more advanced heavy duty hybrid vehicles.
       (B) Report.--Not later than 60 days after the completion of 
     phase one, the recipient shall submit to the Secretary a 
     report containing data and analysis of--
       (i) the performance of each vehicle in carrying out the 
     testing procedures developed by the Secretary under 
     subparagraph (E);
       (ii) the performance during such testing of each vehicle's 
     components, including the battery, energy management system, 
     charging system, and power controls;
       (iii) the projected cost of each vehicle, including 
     acquisition, operating, and maintenance costs; and
       (iv) the emissions levels of each vehicle, including 
     greenhouse gas levels.
       (C) Termination.--The Secretary may terminate the grant 
     program with respect to the project of a recipient at the 
     conclusion of phase one if the Secretary determines that the 
     recipient cannot successfully complete the requirements of 
     phase two.
       (D) Timing.--Phase one begins upon receipt of a grant under 
     the program and has a duration of one year.
       (E) Testing procedures.--The Secretary shall develop 
     standard testing procedures to be used by recipients in 
     testing each vehicle. Such procedures shall include testing a 
     vehicle's performance under typical operating conditions.
       (2) Phase two.--
       (A) In general.--In phase two, the recipient shall 
     demonstrate advanced manufacturing processes and technologies 
     by producing or retrofitting 50 advanced heavy duty hybrid 
     vehicles.
       (B) Report.--Not later than 60 days after the completion of 
     phase two, the recipient shall submit to the Secretary a 
     report containing--
       (i) an analysis of the technological challenges encountered 
     by the recipient in the development of the vehicles;
       (ii) an analysis of the technological challenges involved 
     in mass producing the vehicles; and
       (iii) the manufacturing cost of each vehicle, the estimated 
     sale price of each vehicle, and the cost of a comparable non-
     hybrid vehicle.
       (C) Timing.--Phase two begins at the conclusion of phase 
     one and has a duration of two years.
       (d) Research on Vehicle Usage and Alternative Drive 
     Trains.--The Secretary shall conduct research into 
     alternative power train designs for use in advanced heavy 
     duty hybrid vehicles. Such research shall compare the 
     estimated cost, including operating and maintenance costs, 
     emissions reductions, and fuel savings of each design with 
     similar non-hybrid power train designs under the conditions 
     in which these vehicles are typically used, including, for 
     each vehicle type--
       (1) number of miles driven;
       (2) time spent with the engine at idle;
       (3) horsepower requirements;
       (4) length of time the maximum or near maximum power output 
     of the vehicle is needed; and
       (5) any other factors that the Secretary considers 
     appropriate.
       (e) Report to the Congress.--Not later than 60 days after 
     the Secretary receives the reports from grant recipients 
     under subsection (c)(2)(B), the Secretary shall submit to the 
     Congress a report containing--
       (1) an identification of the grant recipients and a 
     description of the projects to be funded;
       (2) an identification of all applicants who submitted 
     applications for the program;
       (3) all data contained in reports submitted by grant 
     recipients under subsection (c);
       (4) a description of the vehicles produced or retrofitted 
     by recipients in phase one and phase two of the project, 
     including an analysis of the fuel efficiency of such 
     vehicles; and
       (5) the results of the research carried out under 
     subsections (d) and (h).
       (f) Coordination and Nonduplication.--To the maximum extent 
     practicable, the Secretary shall coordinate, and not 
     duplicate, activities under this Act with other programs and 
     laboratories of the Department of Energy and other Federal 
     research programs.
       (g) Cost Sharing.--Section 988 of the Energy Policy Act of 
     2005 (42 U.S.C. 16352) shall apply to the program established 
     pursuant to this section.
       (h) Electrical Grid Research Pilot Program.--The Secretary 
     shall establish a pilot program through the National 
     Laboratories and Technology Centers of the Department of 
     Energy to research and test the effects on the domestic 
     electric power grid of the widespread use of plug-in hybrid 
     vehicles, including plug-in hybrid vehicles that are advanced 
     heavy duty hybrid vehicles.
       (i) Definitions.--For purposes of this section:
       (1) Advanced heavy duty hybrid vehicle.--The term 
     ``advanced heavy duty hybrid vehicle'' means a vehicle with a 
     gross weight between 14,000 pounds and 33,000 pounds that is 
     fueled, in part, by a rechargeable energy storage system.

[[Page H8540]]

       (2) Greenhouse gas.--The term ``greenhouse gas'' means--
       (A) carbon dioxide;
       (B) methane;
       (C) nitrous oxide;
       (D) hydrofluorocarbons;
       (E) perfluorocarbons; or
       (F) sulfur hexafluoride.
       (3) Plug-in hybrid.--The term ``plug-in hybrid'' means a 
     vehicle fueled, in part, by electrical power that can be 
     recharged by connecting the vehicle to an electric power 
     source.
       (4) Retrofit.--The term ``retrofit'' means the process of 
     creating an advanced heavy duty hybrid vehicle by converting 
     an existing, fuel-powered vehicle.
       (5) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of Energy.
       (j) Authorization of Appropriations.--
       (1) There are authorized to be appropriated to the 
     Secretary $16,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2009 through 
     2011 to carry out this section.
       (2) Of the funds authorized under paragraph (1), not more 
     than $1,000,000 per fiscal year may be used for--
       (A) carrying out the studies required under subsection (d);
       (B) carrying out the pilot program required under 
     subsection (h); and
       (C) the administration of the program.

     SEC. 3. EXPANDING RESEARCH IN HYBRID TECHNOLOGY FOR LARGE 
                   VEHICLES.

       Subsection (g)(1) of the United States Energy Storage 
     Competitiveness Act of 2007 (enacted as section 641(g)(1) of 
     the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 
     17231(g)(1))) is amended by inserting ``vehicles with a gross 
     weight over 16,000 pounds,'' before ``stationary 
     applications''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Maryland (Ms. Edwards) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Maryland.


                             General Leave

  Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that 
all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their 
remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 6323, the bill now 
under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Maryland?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  It is my pleasure to put before the House today H.R. 6323 by Mr. Jim 
Sensenbrenner, ranking member of the Investigations and Oversight 
Subcommittee of the Science and Technology Committee. By enhancing the 
Department of Energy's research program in heavy-duty hybrid trucks, 
this bill draws much-needed focus to a very critical component of the 
transportation sector, commercial trucks.
  We are learning the hard way just how much the health of our economy 
can hinge on the commercial transportation sector. Skyrocketing fuel 
costs translate directly into higher prices for consumers since the 
large majority of products we consume or use, from food to building 
materials, are at some point transported by medium to heavy-duty truck. 
We must take measures to ensure that this remains a vibrant economic 
sector.
  The heavy-duty truck sector also plays a role in our energy security 
and environmental health. Approximately one-fourth of the Nation's fuel 
use and the majority of transportation-based emissions can be 
attributed to heavy-duty trucks. One large tractor-trailer rig uses as 
much fuel annually as 48 passenger vehicles. We can see how even small 
improvements in their efficiency can have a substantial impact.
  As with passenger vehicles, hybrid technologies hold the greatest 
promise for improving the fuel economy and emissions of commercial 
trucks, but considerable research and development is required to put 
these technologies on the road. While the technological requirements 
for hybrid trucks are very different, advances in this sector can 
benefit the domestic automotive sector as a whole by invaluable lessons 
learned in designing and manufacturing these systems.
  Mr. Sensenbrenner and his staff have worked closely with the majority 
to ensure that grants under this program explore a wide range of hybrid 
technologies and applications. Mr. Sensenbrenner's bill represents a 
commonsense approach to chipping away at our energy challenge.
  I believe this is an important piece of legislation in the large and 
complex puzzle that is our transportation sector, and I urge my 
colleagues to support it.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6323, 
the Heavy-Duty Hybrid Vehicle Research, Development, and Demonstration 
Act of 2008, sponsored by my good friend, Congressman Sensenbrenner.
  While most of the attention of hybrid vehicles has been focused on 
passenger cars, large, heavy-duty hybrid trucks have received limited 
funds for Federal research and development programs. However, because 
trucks generally use much more fuel per year than passenger cars, the 
overall potential savings are very significant.
  The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that a typical delivery 
truck using a hydraulic hybrid system could save up to 1,000 gallons of 
fuel per year. In light of the proposed savings in fuel use and 
resulting emissions reduction, the Heavy-Duty Hybrid Vehicle Research, 
Development, and Demonstration Act of 2008 aims to encourage the 
advancement of the needed technology to bring about these savings.
  The bill directs the Secretary of Energy to establish a grant program 
for the development of advanced heavy-duty hybrid vehicles. The grants 
are rewarded in two phases. In phase one, grant recipients are required 
to build or retrofit one or more advanced heavy-duty hybrid vehicles 
and to collect required data. In phase two, grant recipients are 
required to produce and/or retrofit 50 heavy-duty hybrid vehicles, 
collect required data and report on the results.
  In addition, the bill directs the secretary to conduct a study of 
alternative power train designs for use in advanced heavy-duty hybrid 
vehicles. Further, it directs the secretary to establish a pilot 
program through DOE's National Laboratories to research and test the 
effects on the domestic electric power grid of the widespread use of 
plug-in hybrid vehicles, including heavy-duty plug-in hybrid trucks.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 6323 passed out of the Committee on Science and 
Technology with bipartisan support and with input from both sides of 
the aisle. I thank Congressman Sensenbrenner for introducing the bill 
and Chairman Gordon for helping us to advance it. I think it makes good 
sense, and it certainly deserves passage.
  Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman 
from North Carolina (Ms. Foxx).
  Ms. FOXX. I thank my colleague from Texas for yielding.
  We are talking about the need to improve our ability to use the 
energy that we have in this country and certainly to get additional 
energy, and I want to call to the attention of people who are paying 
attention to this debate something that has come out in the press which 
we Republicans have been saying for a long time, and it has to do with 
the no-energy bill that passed the House last week.
  I am going to hit some high spots, and, Mr. Speaker, then I would 
like to put the rest of the material into the Record.
  Mr. Speaker, the Boston Globe op-ed by Jeff Jacoby, 9/21/08, the 
title, ``Speaker Pelosi's Bill, a Feint of Supporting Offshore 
Exploration That Would Actually Make Drilling More Difficult.''
  ``The bill permanently bans all drilling within 50 miles of the U.S. 
companies, which just happens to where most of the recoverable oil and 
gas reserves are.''
  The Wall Street Journal editorial, ``Pelosi's Drilling Ruse.''
  ``The sudden pro-drilling makeover of the Pelosi Democrats has always 
had an air, a gale, really, of election-year convenience, and the House 
proved it Tuesday by passing an energy bill that would put any bunko 
man to shame. This confidence trick won't expand domestic oil and gas 
supplies even a bit. The real game was to give vulnerable Democrats 
political cover by letting them vote for more offshore drilling while 
making more drilling all but impossible, thus appeasing the party's 
green wing. The House bill shows that the Pelosi Democrats simply 
aren't serious about expanding domestic energy supplies.'' Wall Street 
Journal, 9/19/08.
  The Oregonian from 9/17/08. This is a column by David Reinhard. 
``Nancy Pelosi's Drilling Charade.''

[[Page H8541]]

  ``Pelosi's alternative energy choice? Snake oil. How lame is the 
energy bill that Speaker Nancy Pelosi had House Democrats pass through 
the House on Tuesday? Louisiana Senator Mary Landrieu said before the 
vote that Pelosi's handiwork would be `dead on arrival' in the 
Senate.''
  The title of that article is ``Pelosi's Bill is an Obvious Charade'' 
and appeared 9/17/08.
  Some other editorials. The Augusta Chronicle. ``Nothing. That's what 
this Congress came up with after months of high fuel costs and concern 
over our dependence on foreign oil and after a summer recess in which 
Senators and Representatives could have listened to the American people 
but did not. Congress came up with nothing, a fake energy exploration 
that would only weaken America.''
  The title of that was ``They've Blown a Ruse; Congress Fails Yet 
Again.'' Augusta Chronicle editorial, September 21, 2008.

                              {time}  1615

  Another one, the Northwest Florida Daily News editorial, ``Don't be 
fooled by House Democrats' disingenuous bill to lift the Federal 
Government's ban on offshore drilling . . . It's a bill intended to 
give voters the impression that Democrats favor offshore drilling--
while maintaining their opposition to it.'' That's in an article called 
``Drilling for Political Advantage,'' September 20, 2008.
  It is refreshing to see that some of our newspaper folks are paying 
attention to what's going on in the House of Representatives and 
calling attention to it to the American public. Republicans did that 
all the month of August, calling attention to the fact that the 
Democrats refused to do anything to help hard-working Americans by 
lowering the price of gasoline. The American people deserve better than 
this.
  I am going to give one more quote from the Wall Street Journal. 
``This confidence trick won't expand domestic oil-and-gas supplies even 
a bit . . . As Congress runs down the clock for this term, the 
likelihood of reaching some grand pre-election energy bargain is 
vanishing fast. The House bill shows that the Pelosi Democrats aren't 
serious about expanding domestic energy supplies.'' That, again, was in 
the Wall Street Journal, September 19, 2008.
  Republicans have a commonsense plan, it's called the American Energy 
Act. We believe in all of the above, conservation, alternatives, 
drilling for additional supply, using the money that would come from 
those leases to provide the alternative.

       ``Coming next week from Nancy Pelosi and the House 
     Democrats: legislation that allows oil and gas drilling on 
     the moon! The bill would have the same result as energy 
     legislation passed Tuesday--no increase in domestic oil 
     production--and it certainly wouldn't be any less cynical * * 
     * The Democrats' intent here is so transparent it's 
     embarrassing. Americans know the country needs to use all its 
     resources to power the future and speed economic recovery. 
     That includes offshore oil drilling--where the oil is.'' 
     (``Let's Drill for Oil--Where There Isn't Any,'' Las Vegas 
     Review Journal Editorial, September 19, 2008)
       ``Pelosi, who opposes new drilling for American oil, 
     allowed the vote only because this summer Democrats were on 
     the wrong side of offshore exploration, which seven in 10 
     Americans favor. Unfortunately, the House-passed bill is 
     nothing more than a fig leaf for Democrats as they prepare to 
     face frustrated voters in November.'' (``Same Old Drill: `No-
     Energy' Bill Risks Voter Wrath,'' The Oklahoman Editorial, 
     September 19, 2008)
       ``This way, Democrats can claim to be opening the way to 
     offshore drilling * * * under the restrictions included in 
     the bill, no real drilling is likely to happen.'' (``Drilling 
     Bill Lacks Substance,'' Buffalo News Editorial, September 22, 
     2008)
       ``If House Democrats were looking to give Americans relief 
     at the gas pump in the energy legislation passed on Sept. 16, 
     they failed. In a jarring twist, the legislation offers a 
     solution and then negates it. If Americans were hoping for at 
     least half a loaf from this legislation, they were 
     disappointed.'' (``Energy Legislation Less Than Half a 
     Loaf,'' Reading Eagle Editorial, September 20, 2008)

  Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  The bill we are considering now is a step toward energy for the 
future, toward investing in the kinds of technologies that will 
transform where we are today on energy to be where we need to be to 
complete in the global marketplace.
  I am very pleased to be here in support of Mr. Sensenbrenner's bill 
that is a commonsense approach to making an investment in the kind of 
electric hybrid technology that will transform our commercial trucking 
sector so that we make the kinds of investments in energy that we have 
to make today to compete in tomorrow's marketplace.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, 
and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from Maryland (Ms. Edwards) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 6323, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground 
that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum 
is not present.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

                          ____________________