Bill Would Create PA Jobs, Reduce Dependence on Foreign Oil
Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Bob Casey’s (D-PA) today announced legislation to speed the transition to natural gas as a vehicle fuel to create jobs in Pennsylvania and reduce our dependence on foreign oil. The Natural Gas Energy and Alternative Rewards (NGEAR) Act would help speed the transition to natural gas fueled vehicles.
“Pennsylvania’s natural gas reserves offer great potential for jobs and economic progress for the state,” said Senator Casey. “My bill would create jobs and reduce dependence on foreign oil by promoting the domestic development and deployment of clean transportation technologies.”
As oil prices rise, more companies, municipalities and consumers are already switching to vehicles running on natural gas. However, the cost of converting existing vehicles to run on natural gas or buying new vehicles can be prohibitive.
Senator Casey’s NGEAR Act will create a new rebate program for the purchase of natural gas buses and extend tax credits for natural gas filling stations and vehicle fuel. It will also promote the domestic development and deployment of clean transportation technologies. Currently, the tax credits include in this bill are set to expire in December 2013.
Specifically, the NGEAR Act would:
- Provide rebates to buyers of alternatively fueled school buses and transit buses. The NGEAR program will reimburse 30%, up to $15,000, for the purchase of qualified vehicles placed in service by December 31, 2016;
- Extend the Alternative Fuel Tax Credit of $0.50 a gallon for the retail sale of natural gas and alternative fuels for everyone who uses it to power vehicles through 2016; and,
- Extend a tax credit for installing commercial natural gas and alternative refueling infrastructure through 2016, totaling 30% of the system, up to $30,000.
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