Collapse to view only § 16071. Pilot program
§ 16071. Pilot program
(a) Establishment
(b) Grant purposesA grant under this section may be used for the following purposes:
(1) The acquisition of alternative fueled vehicles or fuel cell vehicles, including—
(A) passenger vehicles (including neighborhood electric vehicles); and
(B) motorized 2-wheel bicycles or other vehicles for use by law enforcement personnel or other State or local government or metropolitan transportation authority employees.
(2) The acquisition of alternative fueled vehicles, hybrid vehicles, or fuel cell vehicles, including—
(A) buses used for public transportation or transportation to and from schools;
(B) delivery vehicles for goods or services; and
(C) ground support vehicles at public airports (including vehicles to carry baggage or push or pull airplanes toward or away from terminal gates).
(3) The acquisition of ultra-low sulfur diesel vehicles.
(4) Installation or acquisition of infrastructure necessary to directly support an alternative fueled vehicle, fuel cell vehicle, or hybrid vehicle project funded by the grant, including fueling and other support equipment.
(5) Operation and maintenance of vehicles, infrastructure, and equipment acquired as part of a project funded by the grant.
(c) Applications
(1) Requirements
(A) In general
(B) Minimum requirementsAt a minimum, the Secretary shall require that an application for a grant—
(i) be submitted by the head of a State or local government or a metropolitan transportation authority, or any combination thereof, and a registered participant in the Clean Cities Program of the Department; and
(ii) include—(I) a description of the project proposed in the application, including how the project meets the requirements of this subpart;(II) an estimate of the ridership or degree of use of the project;(III) an estimate of the air pollution emissions reduced and fossil fuel displaced as a result of the project, and a plan to collect and disseminate environmental data, related to the project to be funded under the grant, over the life of the project;(IV) a description of how the project will be sustainable without Federal assistance after the completion of the term of the grant;(V) a complete description of the costs of the project, including acquisition, construction, operation, and maintenance costs over the expected life of the project;(VI) a description of which costs of the project will be supported by Federal assistance under this subpart; and(VII) documentation to the satisfaction of the Secretary that diesel fuel containing sulfur at not more than 15 parts per million is available for carrying out the project, and a commitment by the applicant to use such fuel in carrying out the project.
(2) Partners
(d) Selection criteriaIn evaluating applications under the pilot program, the Secretary shall—
(1) consider each applicant’s previous experience with similar projects; and
(2) give priority consideration to applications that—
(A) are most likely to maximize protection of the environment;
(B) demonstrate the greatest commitment on the part of the applicant to ensure funding for the proposed project and the greatest likelihood that the project will be maintained or expanded after Federal assistance under this subpart is completed; and
(C) exceed the minimum requirements of subsection (c)(1)(B)(ii).
(e) Pilot project requirements
(1) Maximum amount
(2) Cost sharing
(3) Maximum period of grants
(4) Deployment and distribution
(5) Transfer of information and knowledge
(f) Schedule
(1) Publication
(2) Selection
(g) Definitions
(Pub. L. 109–58, title VII, § 721, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 818.)
§ 16072. Reports to Congress
(a) Initial report
Not later than 60 days after the date on which grants are awarded under this subpart, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report containing—
(1) an identification of the grant recipients and a description of the projects to be funded;
(2) an identification of other applicants that submitted applications for the pilot program; and
(3) a description of the mechanisms used by the Secretary to ensure that the information and knowledge gained by participants in the pilot program are transferred among the pilot program participants and to other interested parties, including other applicants that submitted applications.
(b) Evaluation
Not later than 3 years after August 8, 2005, and annually thereafter until the pilot program ends, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report containing an evaluation of the effectiveness of the pilot program, including—
(1) an assessment of the benefits to the environment derived from the projects included in the pilot program; and
(2) an estimate of the potential benefits to the environment to be derived from widespread application of alternative fueled vehicles and ultra-low sulfur diesel vehicles.
(Pub. L. 109–58, title VII, § 722, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 820.)
§ 16073. Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this subpart $200,000,000, to remain available until expended.
(Pub. L. 109–58, title VII, § 723, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 821.)