news

Today the House of Representatives approved a bipartisan amendment proposed by Congressman Bill Posey and Congresswoman Susan Kosmas which would set up a competitive program at the Department of Energy to research high mileage vehicles. The amendment was offered to H.R. 3246, the Advanced Vehicle Technology Act of 2009, and was approved unanimously by voice vote.

“It is my understanding that there are companies that are close to developing a very high mileage passenger vehicle, and a partnership with the Department of Energy could be enough to make this a reality,” said Congressman Posey. “If there is a vehicle that could get 70 miles per gallon that could be made in America and on the market in just the next three years, why should we not explore that?”

Specifically, Congressman Posey’s amendment would direct the Secretary of Energy to establish within the existing Vehicle Technologies Program an Innovative Automotive Demonstration Program to make competitively awarded grants for the purpose of demonstrating and bringing to market very high energy efficiency vehicles achieving at least 70 miles per gallon.  The amendment does not add new funding but asks the Department of Energy to use existing funds.

Congressman Posey’s floor speech can be viewed HERE on his YouTube Page.