U.S. Rep. Gary Peters Applauds President Obama's Call for New Investments in Clean Energy Research and Development

Press Release

Today U.S. Rep. Gary Peters, Co-Chair of the bipartisan House Automotive Caucus, applauded President Obama's call for a $2 billion investment in clean energy technology research and development, including American auto manufacturing. Last week, Peters introduced the Advanced Vehicle Technology Act of 2013, a bill that would authorize several important Department of Energy Vehicle Technology Programs. Peters' bill, if signed into law, would authorize several of the programs that President Obama is working to fund. By providing funding to strengthen public-private partnerships with American auto companies, we'll help ensure that new 21st century clean vehicle technologies are developed and manufactured right here in the U.S.A.

"As a strong supporter of American auto manufacturing, I'm very encouraged to hear President Obama calling for $2 billion in new clean energy research and development," said U.S. Rep. Gary Peters, Co-Chair of the bipartisan House Auto Caucus. "By making investments in 21st century clean auto technologies, we'll help break our dependence on foreign fossil fuels and create thousands of good paying, middle-class American jobs. I'm proud to help lead this fight in Congress by introducing the Advanced Vehicle Technology Act which will help drive President Obama's important job creating initiative forward."

Peters co-chairs the bipartisan House Automotive Caucus with Congressman John Campbell (R-CA). Under their leadership, the caucus has already grown to 60 members (31 Democrats, 29 Republicans) after previously having 43 members in the last Congress. You can read more about the Auto Caucus by clicking here.

Last week, Peters also introduced the Advanced Vehicles Technology Act:

SUMMARY OF THE ADVANCED VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY ACT

The Advanced Vehicle Technology Act reauthorizes the Department of Energy's Vehicle Technologies Program, through which the Department of Energy partners with light duty automobile, and medium and heavy duty commercial truck manufacturers and suppliers to conduct research that will help us develop the next generation of fuel efficient cars and trucks.
The Advanced Vehicle Technology Act will improve the fuel efficiency of the U.S. fleet; reduce our dependence on imported oil; support domestic research and development, demonstration, commercialization, and manufacturing of advanced vehicle technologies; and allow for greater consumer choice of technologies and fuels.
The bill directs the Department of Energy to partner with public and private sector entities to conduct research programs on a wide range of passenger vehicle and medium and heavy duty commercial vehicle technologies. In particular, the Department of Energy is directed to continue its existing investment into multiple transformational technologies, such as hydrogen and batteries. However, the bill gives the Department of Energy the resources necessary to also expand its focus into near term developments that collectively could result in significant fuel savings for the national fleet if widely deployed.
The bill places a significant new focus on the research and development programs for medium and heavy duty trucks, and directs the Department of Energy to appoint a full time Director to coordinate existing efforts between government and industry partners.
In the 111th Congress, the Advanced Vehicle Technology Act passed the House of Representatives on a bipartisan 312-114 vote, and passed the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee with broad bipartisan support. The bill was endorsed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Manufacturers, General Motors, Ford, Chrysler, Daimler, the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, the United Auto Workers, the Motor and Equipment Manufacturers Association, ArvinMeritor, Bosch, Caterpillar, Magna, the League of Conservation Voters, the Sierra Club, the Defenders of Wildlife, and others.

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