Senate diesel retrofit bill

Senator George V. Voinovich (R-OH) proposed yesterday a bill to be attached to the energy bill that would authorize $1 billion over five years for the voluntary retrofitting of both on-road and off-road existing diesel engines. The bill is co-sponsored by Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Sen. Jim Inholfe (R-OK) and has the bipartisan support of six other senators.

“The Diesel Emissions Reduction Act of 2005 will provide pivotal funding through national and state-level grant and loan programs for the voluntary retrofitting of existing diesel engines,” said Sen. Voinovich.

The bill would require that 70% of the funds be distributed by the U.S. EPA with 20% allocated to states to develop retrofit programs. An additional 10% would provide an incentive for states to match federal money.

The measure would prioritize projects for cost-effectiveness and by the number of people affected.

A spokesperson for Sen. Voinovich told Fleet Owner that the Senate could consider this bill as early as the end of the week. If the measure passes as part of the Senate energy bill, the next step would be for it to be considered by the House. President George W. Bush hopes to have the energy bill on his desk by summer.