[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 50 (Tuesday, March 24, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3670-S3671]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Ms. COLLINS (for herself, Mrs. Feinstein, and Mr. Kohl):
  S. 679. A bill 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; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
  Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, today I am introducing the Heavy Duty 
Hybrid Vehicle Research, Development, and Demonstration Act, along with 
my colleagues from California and Wisconsin, Senator Feinstein and 
Senator Kohl. This bill will accelerate research of plug-in hybrid 
technologies for heavy duty trucks.
  The Federal Government, through the 21st Century Truck Partnership, 
has for some years provided funding to conduct research and development 
for the modernization of this industry, in association with a 
collection of private industry partners. Despite the significant 
potential benefits of hybrid trucks, however, research in this area was 
eliminated recently to emphasize a focus on passenger vehicles. This 
decision was shortsighted.
  In 2008, truck operators in Maine and around the country were hard 
hit by increases in the price of diesel fuel. While fortunately there 
has been some relief in 2009, it is likely that as our Nation recovers 
from the current economic downturn, the demand for and prices of diesel 
fuel will increase again in the future. Given that our Nation relies 
upon the trucking industry to keep our economy running by providing 
timely delivery of food, industrial products, and raw materials, we 
must develop alternatives that make the industry less susceptible to 
dramatic changes in oil prices. Hybrid power technologies offer 
tremendous promise of reducing this critical industry's dependence on 
oil.
  Trucks consume large amounts of our imported fuels. Successfully 
transitioning trucks to hybrid power technology will reduce our 
Nation's oil consumption and improve our energy security. The Heavy 
Duty Hybrid Vehicle Research, Development, and Demonstration Act 
directs the Department of Energy to expand its research in advanced 
energy storage technologies to include hybrid trucks as well as 
passenger vehicles. Current hybrid technology works well for cars that 
can be made with lightweight materials and travel short distances. 
Trucks need to be constructed with heavy materials commensurate with 
the heavy loads they carry and, if they are going to be plug-in 
hybrids, travel relatively long distances between charges. Thus 
advances in battery and other technologies are needed to make plug-in 
trucks commercially viable and may require more advanced technology 
than is required for passenger cars.
  Grant recipients will be required to complete two phases. In phase 
one, recipients must build one plug-in hybrid truck, collect data, and 
make performance comparisons with traditional trucks. Recipients who 
show promise in phase one will be invited to enter into phase two where 
they must produce 50 plug-in hybrid trucks and report on the 
technological and market obstacles to widespread production. The bill 
will also sponsor two smaller programs to deal with drive-train issues 
and the impact of the wide use of plug-in hybrid technology on the 
electrical grid. In total, the bill authorizes the expenditure of 
$16,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2010, 2011, and 2012.
  We need a comprehensive approach to modernize commercial 
transportation in the 21st century. The Heavy Duty Hybrid Vehicle 
Research, Development, and Demonstration Act is one vital piece of that 
approach. I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                 S. 679

       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 2009''.

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

       (a) Definitions.--In 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.
       (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 vehicle.--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) Program.--The term ``program'' means the competitive 
     research, development, demonstration, and commercial 
     application program established under this section.
       (5) Retrofit.--The term ``retrofit'' means the process of 
     creating an advanced heavy duty hybrid vehicle by converting 
     an existing, fuel-powered vehicle.
       (6) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of Energy.
       (b) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish a 
     competitive research, development, demonstration, and 
     commercial application program under which the Secretary 
     shall provide grants to applicants to carry out projects to 
     advance research and development, and to demonstrate 
     technologies, for advanced heavy duty hybrid vehicles.
       (c) Applications.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary shall issue requirements for 
     applying for grants under the program.
       (2) Selection criteria.--
       (A) In general.--The Secretary shall establish selection 
     criteria for awarding grants under the program.
       (B) Factors.--In evaluating applications, the Secretary 
     shall--
       (i) consider the ability of applicants to successfully 
     complete both phases described in subsection (d); and
       (ii) 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.--

[[Page S3671]]

       (i) In general.--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.
       (ii) Application deadline.--The applications shall be due 
     not later than 90 days after the date of the 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.--
       (A) In general.--The Secretary shall determine the number 
     of grants to be awarded under the program based on the 
     technical merits of the applications received.
       (B) Minimum and maximum number.--The number of grants 
     awarded under the program shall be not less than 3 and not 
     more than 7 grants.
       (C) Plug-in hybrid vehicle technology.--At least half of 
     the grants awarded under this section shall be for plug-in 
     hybrid technology.
       (6) Award amounts.--The Secretary shall award not more than 
     $3,000,000 to a recipient per year for each of the 3 years of 
     the project.
       (d) Program Requirements; 2 Phases.--
       (1) In general.--As a condition of the receipt of a grant 
     under this section, each grant recipient shall be required to 
     complete 2 phases in accordance with this subsection.
       (2) Phase 1.--
       (A) In general.--In phase 1, the recipient shall conduct 
     research and demonstrate advanced hybrid technology by 
     producing or retrofitting 1 or more advanced heavy duty 
     hybrid vehicles.
       (B) Report.--Not later than 60 days after the completion of 
     phase 1, 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 the testing of the components 
     of each vehicle, 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 emission 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 1 if the Secretary determines that the 
     recipient cannot successfully complete the requirements of 
     phase 2.
       (D) Timing.--Phase 1 shall--
       (i) begin on the date of receipt of a grant under the 
     program; and
       (ii) have a duration of 1 year.
       (E) Testing procedures.--
       (i) In general.--The Secretary shall develop standard 
     testing procedures to be used by recipients in testing each 
     vehicle.
       (ii) Vehicle performance.--The procedures shall include 
     testing the performance of a vehicle under typical operating 
     conditions.
       (3) Phase 2.--
       (A) In general.--In phase 2, 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 2, 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 2 shall--
       (i) begins on the conclusion of phase 1; and
       (ii) have a duration of 2 years.
       (e) Research on Vehicle Usage and Alternative Drive 
     Trains.--
       (1) In general.--The Secretary shall conduct research into 
     alternative power train designs for use in advanced heavy 
     duty hybrid vehicles.
       (2) Comparison.--The research shall compare the estimated 
     cost (including operating and maintenance costs, the cost of 
     emission reductions, and fuel savings) of each design with 
     similar nonhybrid power train designs under the conditions in 
     which those vehicles are typically used, including (for each 
     vehicle type)--
       (A) the number of miles driven;
       (B) time spent with the engine at idle;
       (C) horsepower requirements;
       (D) the length of time the maximum or near maximum power 
     output of the vehicle is needed; and
       (E) any other factors that the Secretary considers 
     appropriate.
       (f) Report to Congress.--Not later than 60 days after the 
     date the Secretary receives the reports from grant recipients 
     under subsection (d)(3)(B), the Secretary shall submit to 
     Congress a report containing--
       (1) an identification of the grant recipients and the 
     projects 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 (d);
       (4) a description of the vehicles produced or retrofitted 
     by recipients in phases 1 and 2 of the program, including an 
     analysis of the fuel efficiency of the vehicles; and
       (5) the results of the research carried out under 
     subsections (e) and (i).
       (g) Coordination and Nonduplication.--To the maximum extent 
     practicable, the Secretary shall coordinate, and not 
     duplicate, activities under this section with other programs 
     and laboratories of the Department of Energy and other 
     Federal research programs.
       (h) Cost Sharing.--Section 988 of the Energy Policy Act of 
     2005 (42 U.S.C. 16352) shall apply to the program.
       (i) Electrical Grid Research Pilot Program.--The Secretary, 
     acting through the National Laboratories and Technology 
     Centers of the Department of Energy, shall establish a pilot 
     program 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.
       (j) Authorization of Appropriations.--
       (1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated to 
     the Secretary to carry out this section $16,000,000 for each 
     of fiscal years 2010 through 2012.
       (2) Limitations.--Of the funds authorized under paragraph 
     (1), not more than $1,000,000 of the amount made available 
     for a fiscal year may be used--
       (A) to carry out the research required under subsection 
     (e);
       (B) to carry out the pilot program required under 
     subsection (i); and
       (C) to administer 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 (42 U.S.C. 17231(g)(1)) is 
     amended by inserting ``vehicles with a gross weight over 
     16,000 pounds,'' before ``stationary applications,''.
                                 ______