Bill Could Spur Job Creation in Burgeoning PA Industry, Spark Economic Growth
Weight Restrictions, Lack of Infrastructure Limits Ability of Businesses to Ship With Alternative Fuels
Casey Bill Would Add Fueling Stations Along Interstate Highways, Ease Weight Restrictions
King of Prussia, PA- Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) unveiled new legislation that would improve Pennsylvania’s clean energy infrastructure and get more alternative fuel trucks on the road. At AmeriGas, Casey detailed how this approach could boost Pennsylvania’s emerging alternative energy industry and spark economic growth by adding more clean fueling stations along federal interstates and allowing projects supporting clean vehicles to be eligible to receive an increased share of funding from the Department of Transportation.
“Pennsylvania has quickly become a leader in alternative energy which has had a substantial impact on jobs and economic growth,” Senator Casey said. “This legislation can help Pennsylvania take the next step in the development of alternative fuels. Putting in place more clean energy infrastructure and making it easier for businesses to transport their goods using alternative energy will help these businesses grow and create jobs.”
At @AmeriGas to unveil my bill that would boost PA’s clean energy infrastructure and get more alternative fuel tru... http://t.co/tCKoxkhamT
— Senator Bob Casey (@SenBobCasey) June 24, 2013
“GVF applauds Senator Casey on the Clean Vehicle Corridors Act. GVF promotes sustainable mobility and this act will allow users to have a choice on how they travel. Alternative fuel choices are critical to our economic future as a country. Offering alternative fuel choices also increases innovation while decreasing our dependence on foreign oil,” said Rob Henry, GVF Executive Director.
Casey’s bill, the Clean Vehicle Corridors Act, would allow the Department of Transportation (DOT) to establish clean vehicle corridors along interstate highways across the country. These clean vehicle areas would contain the infrastructure necessary to refuel clean vehicles and would also modify weight restrictions on heavier clean vehicle trucks. Clean Vehicle Corridors would encourage promotion of CNG, LNG, LPG, plug-in electric, advanced biofuels, hydrogen and/or other clean fuels. Additionally, Clean Vehicle Corridors will facilitate the development of policies and planning needed to put into place cleaner alternative fuel infrastructure for clean vehicles, such as fueling stations, rest stops, travel plazas, or other service areas on federal or private property that are found to be most practically located along a Clean Vehicle Corridor that would be available to all users of the fuels, including privately-owned or publically-owned vehicles.
Additionally, the bill would allow states to modify HOV/HOT lane restrictions to accommodate vehicles using cleaner alternative fuel and allow for the creation of designated parking spaces for vehicles using alternative fuels.
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