Senate bills would boost propane as viable fuel for vehicles

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee reported out two bills of particular interest to the propane industry, both of which send a positive message that propane is an important and useful alternative fuel in the United States, NPGA said. The Advanced Vehicle Technology Act of 2011 would authorize appropriations to the secretary of energy for research, development, demonstration and commercial applications of vehicles and related technologies for fiscal years 2012-16. These programs would include propane-powered vehicles. The Alternative Fuel Vehicles Competitiveness and Energy Security Act of 2011 adopts definitions of alternative fuel vehicles that will apply to all alternative fuels and to a broad universe of vehicle types – encompassing compressed natural gas, propane, biofuels and hydrogen. It also defines alternative fuel vehicles with reference to existing IRS definitions for new alternative fuel vehicles, mixed-fuel vehicles and electric vehicles, but adds an additional definition for non-road vehicles to include vehicles used for industrial, farming, commercial, rail, airport and marine purposes.