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APGA Responds to EPA on Transportation Programs

By Stuart Saulters posted 06-08-2023 12:33 PM

  
On June 5, APGA submitted comments in response to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) request for input on how it should implement two new programs authorized under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).  These programs – the Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles (HDV) Program and the Clean Ports Program – are intended to reduce emissions from the transportation sector.
 
APGA saw it as a significant oversight that Congress drafted the sections of the IRA that authorized these programs so narrowly.  According to the new law, only vehicles and technologies without on-site greenhouse gas (GHG) or other listed air pollutant emissions would be permitted to qualify for funding, meaning that natural gas vehicles (NGVs) will not qualify.  When paired with renewable natural gas (RNG), NGVs can even operate at net negative GHG emissions because of the amount of emissions avoided by capturing biogas and utilizing it in a more efficient manner.  Despite these significant emissions reduction benefits, EPA will only be able to use the funds to support electric and hydrogen vehicles and technology.
 
APGA will continue to advocate for Congress to ensure that the broadest range of technologies can qualify for critical emission-reducing programs such as the HDV Program, Clean Ports Program, and others authorized in the future.  Through our comments, APGA also encouraged EPA to leverage the existing gas distribution network and fuel delivery infrastructure by promoting a level playing field for all clean vehicle fuels and technologies in other programs it implements.
 
A copy of the comment letter is available here.
 
For questions on this article, please contact Stuart Saulters of APGA staff by phone at 202-802-0493 or by email at ssaulters@apga.org.

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