[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 126 (Wednesday, September 9, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H9355-H9357]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HEAVY DUTY HYBRID VEHICLE RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND DEMONSTRATION ACT 
                                OF 2009

  Mr. TONKO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill 
(H.R. 445) 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. 445

       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) 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 three 
     or more than seven, 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 fifty 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

[[Page H9356]]

     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.
       (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 2010 through 
     2012 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 gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Tonko) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall) each will 
control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.


                             General Leave

  Mr. TONKO. I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 
legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include 
extraneous material on H.R. 445, the bill now under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New York?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. TONKO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to put before the House today H.R. 445 
by Mr. Jim Sensenbrenner. The House passed a nearly identical bill, 
H.R. 6323, in the 110th Congress and, unfortunately, that is as far as 
the bill got. Hopefully we can get some movement on this measure this 
time around.
  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, that being commercial 
trucks.
  We have repeatedly learned the hard way just how much the health of 
our economy can hinge on the commercial transportation sector. Costly 
fuel translates 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 a medium to heavy duty 
truck. We must take measures to ensure that this remains a vibrant 
economic sector.
  The heavy 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 providing 
invaluable lessons learned in the designing and manufacturing of these 
systems.

                              {time}  1115

  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 the measure.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume. I rise today in support of H.R. 445, the Heavy Duty Hybrid 
Vehicle Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 2009, sponsored 
by my good friend, Congressman Sensenbrenner. H.R. 445 was originally 
introduced in the 110th Congress as H.R. 6323, where it passed out of 
the Committee on Science and Technology with bipartisan support and 
input from both sides of the aisle and was passed by the House of 
Representatives under suspension of the rules by voice vote.
  I'm pleased that Mr. Sensenbrenner reintroduced his bill in this 
Congress that we're debating on the floor today. While most of the 
attention on 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 vehicles, the overall 
potential on satisfaction is very significant. The Environmental 
Protection Agency establishes 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 2009 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.
  These grants are awarded 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 or retrofit 50 advanced 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 and, further, 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,

[[Page H9357]]

including heavy duty plug-in hybrid trucks.
  Again, I thank Congressman Sensenbrenner for introducing this bill, 
and Chairman Gordon for helping to advance it. I think it makes good 
sense and deserves passage.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. TONKO. Mr. Speaker, I again commend Representative Sensenbrenner 
for his work on H.R. 445, which will speak to heavy duty hybrid vehicle 
research and development. The deployment of the improvements that we 
can make in that transportation sector will aid us tremendously in 
responding favorably to the environment and to our energy needs. For 
that purpose and many of the related energy and environment benefits 
that come from such research and development, I strongly urge our 
colleagues to support H.R. 445.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the remainder of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Tonko) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 445, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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