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Texas Incentives and Laws
Last Updated September 2005
State IncentivesAlternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) GrantsThe Adopt-A-School Bus Program, a cooperative partnership between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, state agencies, local elected officials, and corporate sponsors, was established as a nonprofit grant program to aid local school districts replacing their aging, diesel school bus fleets with new clean fuel buses. In an effort to ensure the longevity of the new buses, a portion of all grant money awarded is earmarked for fleet infrastructure and maintenance. For more information, please visit the Web sites for Dallas-Fort Worth (http://adopt-a-schoolbus.nctcog.org), Austin/Central Texas, and San Antonio/Alamo Area (www.aacog.dst.tx.us/schoolbus). Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) GrantsThe Texas Emissions Reduction Plan (TERP) provides grants for various types of clean air projects in 41 counties to improve air quality in the state's non-attainment areas. Grants are available for new, converted or repowered on-road and off-road AFVs and engines. For complete information on the types of projects and expenses that may be eligible for a grant, refer to the Projects Projects Selected for Funding and the TERP Guidelines for Emissions Reduction Incentive Grants. (Reference Texas Statutes, Health & Safety Code, Chapter 386) Point of Contact
Steve
Dayton Alternative Fuel GrantsThe Texas Emissions Reduction Plan (TERP) also provides grants for alternative fuel and advanced technology demonstration and infrastructure projects under the New Technology Research and Development (NTRD) Program, which provides incentives to encourage and support research, development, and commercialization of technologies that reduce pollution in Texas. For complete information on the types of projects and expenses that may be eligible for a grant, refer to the latest Request for Grant Applications and the NTRD Guidelines. The NTRD program is now administered by the Texas Environmental Research Consortium, with support from the Houston Advanced Research Center.(Reference Texas Statutes, Health & Safety Code, Chapter 386) Point of Contact
Dr.
Rudy Smaling, PhD Natural Gas Fuel Rates and Alternative Fuel PromotionThe Texas General Land Office (GLO) makes competitively-priced natural gas available to school districts (and other state and local public entities) for use in AFVs. The GLO has also established an alternative fuels program to aggressively promote the use of alternative energy sources, especially for those fuels abundant in Texas. The GLO alternative fuels program serves as a liaison between government and industry. Point of Contact
Soll
Sussman Alternative Fuel Grant AssistanceThe Texas State Energy Conservation Office researches and assists public and private entities in securing grants to encourage the use of alternative fuels, including conversion of state and local government fleets to operate on compressed natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, and other alternative fuels. Point of Contact
Mary-Jo Rowan Alternative Fuel Research and DevelopmentThe Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) regulates the safety of the liquefied natural gas (LNG), compressed natural gas (CNG), and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) industries. The RRC, through its Alternative Fuels Research and Education Division, promotes the use of LPG and administers grant programs to encourage the purchase of LPG school buses and forklifts. Point of Contact
Alternative Fuels
Research and Education
Division (AFRED) Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Bus & Forklift RebateThe Railroad Commission of Texas Alternative Fuels Research & Education Division (AFRED) School Bus Rebate Program applies to school buses (Model Year 2004 or newer) that incorporate an OEM low emission vehicle (LEV) certified LPG system. The rebate is worth 80% of the incremental cost of the LPG system, less any other grant funds used to pay for the incremental cost of the LPG system. Used OEM vehicles and LPG fuel system components are not eligible. AFRED also offers incentives to buyers of propane forklifts that meet 2004 EPA emission standards. Point of Contact
Eileen Latham Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Vehicle TrainingThe Railroad Commission of Texas offers free safety and maintenance training on LPG vehicles, buses and forklifts. Point of Contact
Franz
Hofmann State Laws and RegulationsProvision for Establishment of Hydrogen ProgramThe Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is authorized to seek funding to acquire and operate hydrogen vehicles and establish and operate publicly-accessible hydrogen refueling stations. TxDOT is required to ensure that data on emissions from the vehicles and refueling stations and from related hydrogen production are monitored compared with data on emissions from control vehicles with internal combustion engines that operate on fuels other than hydrogen. TxDOT must report the results of this monitoring, analysis and comparison to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. (Reference Texas Statutes, Transportation Code, Section 201.618 and House Bill 2702, 2005) Idle Reduction RequirementNo driver using a vehicle’s sleeper berth may idle the vehicle in a school zone or within 1,000 feet of a public school during its hours of operation. A penalty up to a $500 fine applies. This restriction expires September 1, 2007. (Reference House Bill 1540, 2005 and Texas Statutes Health & Safety Code, Section 382.0191) Alternative Fuel Program SupportThe Texas Energy Planning Council, facilitated by the RRC, was created in November 2003 to advise the Governor on a balanced plan to provide the energy needed to fuel Texas' future economic growth and prosperity. The final report, Texas Energy Plan 2005: Energy Security for a Bright Tomorrow, was submitted to the Governor in January 2005. The report identifies gaps between the state's energy supply and energy demand and recommends a plan to close or minimize these gaps. The Council explored ways to diversify future energy supplies via liquefied natural gas, nuclear, and clean coal technology as well as through renewable energy sources such as wind power, biomass, and fuel cells. (Reference Executive Order RP 29, 2003) Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEV) Access to RoadwaysNEVs may only be used on roads that have a posted speed limit of 35 miles per hour or less. (Reference Texas Statutes, Transportation Code, Sections 551.301 to 551.303) Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Program Support and Technician TrainingThe Texas Alternative Fuels Program initiatives include providing administrative support for the U.S. Department of Energy Clean Cities program and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Clean School Bus Program, training educators on and developing a secondary school course curriculum in energy basics and alternative fuels, and funding for developing a training and certification program to educate mechanics on the technical aspects of alternative fuel vehicles. (Reference Texas Statutes Section 2305.035) Point of Contact
Mary-Jo Rowan Ethanol and Biodiesel Blend Tax ExemptionBiodiesel or ethanol blended with taxable diesel, that is identified when sold or used as a biodiesel or ethanol fuel blend, is exempt from the diesel fuel tax. (Reference Texas Statutes, Tax Code, Sections 162.001 and 162.204) Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) TaxMotor fuel taxes for LPG vehicles are collected through annual sticker permit fees based on the registered gross vehicle weight rating and mileage driven the previous year. (Reference Texas Statutes, Tax Code, Section 162.305) Utilities/Private IncentivesNatural Gas Vehicle and Forklift RebateThe Texas Gas Service Conservation Program offers a $2,000 rebate for the purchase of a natural gas vehicle or conversion of a conventional gasoline vehicle to operate on natural gas (maximum of five vehicles per customer) and a $1,000 rebate for the purchase of a natural gas forklift. This incentive is for commercial and residential customers in the city of Austin with specific gas rate codes. Conversions must be done by a center that is certified by the Railroad Commission of Texas. Point of Contact
Teri
Green Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) GrantsCongestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Program Grants are available through the Houston-Galveston Area Council, through the Greater Houston Regional Clean Cities Coalition, for up to 75% of the incremental cost for new OEM clean fuel vehicle purchases, and clean fuel vehicle conversions/repowers. This grant is for government and private entities in the eight-county Houston-Galveston non-attainment area. Point of Contact
Stephanie Lee Natural Gas Infrastructure Technical AssistanceAtmos Energy offers preliminary feasibility studies for CNG refueling stations and vendor selection on a case-by-case basis. Point of Contact
Walter C. Miller Texas Points of Contact:
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