[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 49 (Wednesday, April 6, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2189-S2190]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
By Mr. LEVIN (for himself, Mr. Schumer, Mr. Alexander, Mr. Kerry,
Ms. Murkowski, Mr. Bingaman, Mr. Merkley, and Mrs. Stabenow):
S. 739. A bill to authorize the Architect of the Capitol to establish
battery recharging stations for privately owned vehicles in parking
areas under the jurisdiction of the Senate at no net cost to the
Federal Government; to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, today a bipartisan group of Senators has
introduced legislation that would allow the Senate to continue its
leadership of our country toward a clean-energy future. Senators
Schumer, Alexander, Kerry, Murkowski, Bingaman, and I have introduced a
bill that would authorize the Architect of the Capitol to establish
battery recharging stations for privately owned vehicles in parking
areas under the jurisdiction of the Senate at no net cost to the
Federal Government.
Among the most successful job-creation efforts we have undertaken
since the financial crisis devastated our economy is our attempt to
help American manufacturers create the batteries and other components
that will power the next generation of electric-powered vehicles. In my
State of Michigan and in other places around the country, the grant
program we enacted as part of the Recovery Act has sparked a boom of
manufacturing job creation. Given a choice between watching our global
competitors create those jobs and creating them in the United States,
we have chosen the wiser course.
This has been part of a larger, and largely successful, effort to
support the electric revolution in transportation. President Obama's
goal of 1 million electric vehicles on the road by 2015 is one part of
that effort. He announced last week that by 2015, the government will
buy only alternative-energy vehicles for its fleets as part of a
strategy to cut U.S. oil imports by 1/3. Such a strategy would help our
country economically, protect our environment and enhance our national
security.
The legislation we introduce today is another, though smaller, part
of that effort. It would ensure that the Senate leads by example as we
transition to a clean-energy future. It would establish--at no net cost
to the taxpayer--charging stations to power plug-in hybrid electric
vehicles. While these vehicles are an important part of our future,
they will bring changes in how we think about cars and driving. Instead
of looking for gas stations, drivers will need charging stations where
they can replenish the batteries that power their vehicles.
The President and others have proposed plans to help encourage the
creation of that infrastructure in communities around the country. So
should the Senate. This bill would ensure that Senate employees have
available the infrastructure to support next-generation vehicles. It
would be an important statement of leadership from the Senate. It would
provide an example to other employers of how they can support both the
needs of their employees and our national interest in energy security.
I am thankful for the support of Senators Schumer, Alexander, Kerry,
Murkowski, and Bingaman on this bill, and for the assistance of the
staffs of Senators Schumer and Alexander on the Rules Committee. These
Senators have recognized the value of Senate leadership in moving our
nation toward a future liberated from imported oil, and I hope our
other colleagues will as well.
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. 739
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. BATTERY RECHARGING STATIONS FOR PRIVATELY OWNED
VEHICLES IN PARKING AREAS UNDER THE
JURISDICTION OF THE SENATE AT NO NET COST TO
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
(a) Definition.--In this Act, the term ``covered employee''
means--
(1) an employee whose pay is disbursed by the Secretary of
the Senate; or
(2) any other individual who is authorized to park in any
parking area under the jurisdiction of the Senate on Capitol
Grounds.
(b) Authority.--
(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (3), funds
appropriated to the Architect of the Capitol under the
heading ``Capitol Power Plant'' under the heading ``ARCHITECT
OF THE CAPITOL'' in any fiscal year are available to
construct, operate, and maintain on a reimbursable basis
battery recharging stations in parking areas under the
jurisdiction
[[Page S2190]]
of the Senate on Capitol Grounds for use by privately owned
vehicles used by Senators or covered employees.
(2) Vendors authorized.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the
Architect of the Capitol may use 1 or more vendors on a
commission basis.
(3) Approval of construction.--The Architect of the Capitol
may construct or direct the construction of battery
recharging stations described under paragraph (1) after--
(A) submission of written notice detailing the numbers and
locations of the battery recharging stations to the Committee
on Rules and Administration of the Senate; and
(B) approval by that Committee.
(c) Fees and Charges.--
(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), the Architect of
the Capitol shall charge fees or charges for electricity
provided to Senators and covered employees sufficient to
cover the costs to the Architect of the Capitol to carry out
this section, including costs to any vendors or other costs
associated with maintaining the battery recharging stations.
(2) Approval of fees or charges.--The Architect of the
Capitol may establish and adjust fees or charges under
paragraph (1) after--
(A) submission of written notice detailing the amount of
the fee or charge to be established or adjusted to the
Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate; and
(B) approval by that Committee.
(d) Deposit and Availability of Fees, Charges, and
Commissions.--Any fees, charges, or commissions collected by
the Architect of the Capitol under this section shall be--
(1) deposited in the Treasury to the credit of the
appropriations account described under subsection (b); and
(2) available for obligation without further appropriation
during--
(A) the fiscal year collected; and
(B) the fiscal year following the fiscal year collected.
(e) Annual Reports.--Not later than 30 days after the end
of each fiscal year, the Architect of the Capitol shall
submit a report on the financial administration and cost
recovery of activities under this section with respect to
that fiscal year to the Committee on Rules and Administration
of the Senate.
(f) Effective Date.--This Act shall apply with respect to
fiscal year 2011 and each fiscal year thereafter.
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