Am. Sub. H.B. 245

126th General Assembly

(S. Ways and Means and Economic Development)

 

 

Requires the Department of Development to administer a Diesel Emissions Grant Program and a Diesel Emissions Reduction Revolving Loan Program for the purpose of reducing emissions from diesel engines; the Programs must implement section 793 of the federal Energy Policy Act of 2005, which is a national grant and loan program to aid states and eligible nonprofit organizations to achieve reductions in diesel emissions.

Provides that interest earned from moneys in the Diesel Emissions Grant Fund or the Diesel Emissions Reduction Revolving Loan Fund must be used to administer the Programs.

Requires all, rather than 90%, of the new motor vehicles acquired by the Department of Administrative Services and state agencies that have been delegated fleet management duties to be capable of using alternative fuels.

Eliminates the bill's alternative fuel usage requirements and sets new minimum fuel usage requirements for E85 blend fuel and biodiesel used in those motor vehicles.

Eliminates the requirement that state agencies, when procuring vehicles, must give preference to bidders selling vehicles that use ethanol produced from Ohio corn or biodiesel produced from Ohio soybeans or Ohio corn.

Expands, rather than creates, the Alternative Fuel Transportation Grant Program (it was created in H.B. 66 of the 126th General Assembly), by increasing the maximum grant amount under the Program for the purchase and installation of an alternative fuel refueling or distribution facility or terminal, and for the purchase of alternative fuel.

Makes an appropriation of $1 million to the Alternative Fuel Transportation Grant Fund in fiscal year 2007.

Requires the Director of Administrative Services to designate an alternative fuel resource officer, and provides that DAS compile a report of purchases of alternative fuels by each state department and agency.

Eliminates the tax credits for the sale of ethanol-blended gasoline, and for the installation of E85 blend fuel pumps or the retrofitting of existing pumps to sell E85 blend fuel.

Provides that directional signs that display business logo signs along the state highways must permit the business logo signs of alternative fuel sellers.

 

 

 

 

H0245-126.doc/blf                                                                                                   3/29/06