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House passes bill authorizing clean-fuel conversions for certain fleets in nonattainment areas
Summary
Lawmakers approved a substitute to permit the Division of Air Quality to require cost-effective clean-fuel conversions of certain vehicle fleets in air-quality nonattainment areas, with exemptions for heavy equipment and public transit. The substitute passed the House 63-0 and moves to the Senate.
The House on Feb. 10 passed a substitute bill granting the Division of Air Quality (DAQ) the authority to adopt rules requiring fleet operators in nonattainment areas to convert qualifying vehicles to cleaner-burning fuels where other strategies fail and conversions are cost-effective.
Representative Ellerson, sponsor, described the bill as a response to recommendations from the Governor’s Clean Air Commission and noted motor vehicles are a major contributor to the region’s pollution problems. The substitute exempts heavy equipment (over 26,000 pounds) and allows the DAQ to tailor exemptions, and public transit was explicitly excluded from the fleet conversion requirement in an amendment adopted on the floor.
Supporters argued the measure provides a targeted, cost-effective tool for air-quality management in troubled areas and builds on earlier incentives the legislature has already enacted. Representative Paul Glander noted that the bill complements incentives but adds authority where necessary to meet attainment.
After amendments and a short debate, the House approved the substitute 63-0; the bill will be transmitted to the Senate.
