§13431 General Transportation

Summary

The Secretary must run a five-year program to find cost-effective ways to cut oil use in transportation for all motor vehicles, including existing ones. The work must try many technical approaches and include enough real-world demonstrations to prove they work and make economic sense. The program must include certain related activities and ongoing Department of Energy work. Within 180 days after October 24, 1992, the Secretary must send Congress a five-year plan and must consult with industry, utilities, colleges, federal agencies (including national labs), and professional and technical groups. Within 1 year after October 24, 1992, the Secretary must ask for proposals to carry out the program. "Alternative fuels" include natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, hydrogen, non-alcohol fuels from biological materials, and any fuel that is at least 85% methanol, ethanol, or another alcohol. Congress authorized $119,144,000 for fiscal year 1993 and $160,000,000 for fiscal year 1994 for most of the program. Separate funding for certain activities is $60,300,000 (FY1993); $75,000,000 (FY1994); $80,000,000 (FY1995); $80,000,000 (FY1996); $90,000,000 (FY1997); and $100,000,000 (FY1998).