Foster Votes To Spur American Innovation, Reduce Dependence On Foreign Oil

Statement

Today, Rep. Bill Foster (IL-14) voted to support the Advanced Vehicle Technology Act to boost American innovation in alternative energies and fuel efficient vehicle technology, which passed the House by a bipartisan vote of 312-114. Foster cosponsored this legislation.

http://foster.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=145294

"As a businessman and scientist, I am a strong supporter of research and development of advanced vehicle technologies, which will help American automakers innovate while increasing their ability to compete with foreign automakers," said Foster. "Not only is this R & D beneficial to the future of American automakers, but it will also help to create good paying American jobs and will reduce our nation's dependence on foreign oil."

H.R. 3246, the Advanced Vehicle Technology Act, strengthens and reauthorizes the Department of Energy's Vehicle Technologies program. This program invests in a diverse range of near-term and long-range vehicle technologies that will improve fuel efficiency, support domestic research and manufacturing and lead to greater economic choice of vehicle technologies and fuels. Specifically for Illinois, much of the battery research contained in the program will take place at Argonne National Laboratory.

The legislation authorizes $550 million per year for the next five years (increasing with inflation) for all vehicle technology programs at the Department of Energy. Of that total, $200 million will be for medium and heavy duty commercial vehicles, $30 million will be for user facilities and $20 million will be for a non-road pilot program (e.g., construction and agricultural vehicles). The remaining $300 million will go toward diverse passenger and commercial vehicle technologies, such as the hybridization or full electrification of vehicle systems to reduce gasoline use.

"By making long-term investments in the research and development of cutting-edge, commercially viable technologies, we will be able to develop energy efficient American cars for consumers that will increase our energy independence," Foster said.

This bill is supported by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and is endorsed by a vast array of groups, including Caterpillar, the United Autoworkers, the National Association of Manufacturers, General Motors, Ford Motor Company, Chrysler and the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers.

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