S.Amdt. 1516

SA 1516. Mr. BINGAMAN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 1432 proposed by Mr. Frist to the bill S. 14, to enhance the energy security of the United States, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the appropriate place in the amendment, strike section 715 and insert the following:

SEC. 715. REDUCTION OF ENGINE IDLING OF HEAVY-DUTY VEHICLES.

(a) Definitions.--In this section:

(1) Administrator.--The term “Administrator” means the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.

(2) Advanced truck stop electrification system.--The term “advanced truck stop electrification system” means a stationary and independent electrification system that delivers heat, air conditioning, electricity, communications, and other convenient services, and is capable of providing verifiable and auditable evidence of use of those services, to a heavy-duty vehicle and any occupants of the heavy-duty vehicle without relying on components mounted onboard the heavy-duty vehicle for delivery of those services.

(3) Auxiliary power unit.--The term “auxiliary power unit” means an integrated system that--

(A) provides heat, air conditioning, engine warming, and electricity to the factory-installed components on a heavy-duty vehicle as if the main drive engine of the heavy-duty vehicle were running; and

(B) is certified by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency under part 89 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations), as meeting applicable emission standards.

(4) Heavy-duty vehicle.--The term “heavy-duty vehicle” means a vehicle that--

(A) has a gross vehicle weight rating greater than 12,500 pounds; and

(B) is powered by a diesel engine.

(5) Idle reduction technology.--The term “idle reduction technology” means an advanced truck stop electrification system, auxiliary power unit, or another device or system of devices that--

(A) is used to reduce long-duration idling of a heavy-duty vehicle; and

(B) allows for the main drive engine or auxiliary refrigeration engine of a heavy-duty vehicle to be shut down.

(6) Long-duration idling.--

(A) In general.--The term “long-duration idling” means the operation of a main drive engine or auxiliary refrigeration engine of a heavy-duty vehicle, for a period greater than 15 consecutive minutes, at a time at which the main drive engine is not engaged in gear.

(B) Exclusions.--The term “long-duration idling” does not include the operation of a main drive engine or auxiliary refrigeration engine of a heavy-duty vehicle during a routine stoppage associated with traffic movement or congestion.

(b) Idle Reduction Technology Benefits, Programs, and Studies.--

(1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall--

(A)(i) commence a review of the mobile source air emission models of the Environmental Protection Agency used under the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.) to determine whether the models accurately reflect the emissions resulting from long-duration idling of heavy-duty vehicles and other vehicles and engines; and

(ii) update those models as the Administrator determines to be appropriate; and

(B)(i) commence a review of the emission reductions achieved by the use of idle reduction technology; and

(ii) complete such revisions of the regulations and guidance of the Environmental Protection Agency as the Administrator determines to be appropriate.

(2) Deadline for completion.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall--

(A) complete the reviews under subparagraphs (A)(i) and (B)(i) of paragraph (1); and

(B) prepare and make publicly available 1 or more reports on the results of the reviews.

(3) Discretionary inclusions.--The reviews under subparagraphs (A)(i) and (B)(i) of paragraph (1) and the reports under paragraph (2)(B) may address the potential fuel savings resulting from use of idle reduction technology.

(4) Idle reduction deployment program.--

(A) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary of Transportation, shall establish a program to support deployment of idle reduction technology that benefits strategic locations based on air quality and congestion considerations.

(B) Authorization of appropriations.--There are authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator such sums as are necessary to carry out subparagraph (A).

(5) Idling location study.--

(A) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation, in consultation with the Administrator, shall commence a study to analyze all locations at which heavy-duty vehicles stop for long duration idling, including--

(i) truck stops;

(ii) rest areas;

(iii) border crossings;

(iv) ports;

(v) transfer facilities; and

(vi) private terminals.

(B) Deadline for completion.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall--

(i) complete the study under subparagraph (A); and

(ii) prepare and make publicly available 1 or more reports of the results of the study.

(c) Vehicle Weight Exemption.--Section 127(a) of title 23, United States Code, is amended--

(1) by designating the first through eleventh sentences as paragraphs (1) through (11), respectively; and

(2) by adding at the end the following:

“(12) Heavy-duty vehicles.--

“(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraphs (B) and (C), in order to promote reduction of fuel use and emissions due to engine idling, the maximum gross vehicle weight limit and the axle weight limit for any heavy-duty vehicle equipped with an idle reduction technology shall be increased by a quantity necessary to compensate for the additional weight of the idle reduction system.

“(B) Maximum weight increase.--The weight increase under subparagraph (A) shall be not greater than 250 pounds.

“(C) Proof.--On request by a regulatory or law enforcement agency, the vehicle operator shall provide proof (through demonstration or certification) that--

“(i) the idle reduction technology is fully functional at all times; and

“(ii) the 250-pound gross weight increase is not used for any purpose other than the use of idle reduction technology described in subparagraph (A).”