H.C.R. 1 Enrolled

1

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON
2 CERTIFICATION OF COMPRESSED NATURAL
3 GAS VEHICLES
4 2009 GENERAL SESSION
5 STATE OF UTAH
6 Chief Sponsor: Jack R. Draxler
7 Senate Sponsor: Peter C. Knudson
8
9 LONG TITLE
10 General Description:
11 This concurrent resolution of the Legislature and the Governor urges the United States
12 Environmental Protection Agency to take regulatory steps for encouraging the use of
13 natural gas and encourages public and private partnerships to increase the states'
14 refueling infrastructure.
15 Highlighted Provisions:
16 This resolution:
17 . strongly urges the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to promptly revise and
18 streamline the certification requirements applicable to small volume manufacturers;
19 . urges the EPA to waive requirements for recertifying conversion kits under certain
20 circumstances;
21 . urges the EPA to permit small vehicle manufacturers to include vehicles and
22 engines in a single engine category;
23 . urges the EPA to provide additional guidance to small volume manufacturers
24 regarding the conversion of older vehicle models;
25 . urges the EPA to institute a natural gas vehicle research, development, and
26 demonstration funding program; and
27 . encourages the formation of public and private partnerships to increase the states'
28 refueling infrastructure.
29 Special Clauses:

30 None
31
32 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor concurring therein:
33 WHEREAS, Utah is fortunate to have an abundant supply of natural gas;
34 WHEREAS, every gallon equivalent of natural gas used by vehicles is one less gallon
35 of petroleum that has to be imported;
36 WHEREAS, natural gas is the cleanest burning alternative transportation fuel
37 commercially available today;
38 WHEREAS, the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy has rated the
39 natural gas powered Honda Civic GX as "America's Greenest Car" for the past five
40 consecutive years;
41 WHEREAS, the Honda Civic GX is greener than any available hybrid;
42 WHEREAS, the largest hurdle facing the natural gas vehicle industry is the lack of
43 refueling stations available to the public;
44 WHEREAS, public and private partnerships could greatly increase the states' refueling
45 infrastructure;
46 WHEREAS, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has rules
47 governing the manufacture, sale, and installation of alternative fuel engine conversion
48 systems;
49 WHEREAS, for a vehicle conversion from petroleum to natural gas to be legal, the
50 aftermarket kit must be designed for the specific vehicle's engine;
51 WHEREAS, each engine-specific conversion kit must undergo EPA-specified testing
52 to ensure it meets emission standards and, upon passing, receive a Certificate of Conformity;
53 WHEREAS, the EPA should revise and streamline the certification requirements
54 applicable to small volume manufacturers;
55 WHEREAS, the EPA should waive requirements for recertifying conversion kits if the
56 kit has been previously certified for the model of vehicle to be converted and neither the kit
57 nor the design and specifications of the model of vehicle to be converted have substantially

58 changed;
59 WHEREAS, the EPA should also permit small vehicle manufacturers to include
60 vehicles and engines in a single engine category to improve the cost efficiency of emission
61 testing of converted vehicles and provide additional guidance to small volume manufacturers
62 regarding the conversion of older vehicle models;
63 WHEREAS, the EPA should continue a natural gas vehicle research, development, and
64 demonstration funding program within its existing budget and personnel levels to help
65 improve and develop natural gas usage by engines and vehicles;
66 WHEREAS, the program could assist manufacturers in emissions certification, develop
67 and improve nationally recognized safety codes and standards, and examine and improve the
68 reliability and efficiency of natural gas fueling station infrastructure; and
69 WHEREAS, by taking these steps, the EPA would allow industry and the public to
70 more quickly decrease the nation's dependency on imported petroleum:
71 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the
72 Governor concurring therein, strongly urge the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to act
73 promptly and decisively in revising and streamlining the certification requirements applicable
74 to small volume manufacturers and waiving requirements for recertifying conversion kits if the
75 kit has been previously certified for the model of vehicle to be converted and neither the kit
76 nor the design and specifications of the model of vehicle to be converted have substantially
77 changed.
78 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor urge the EPA to
79 permit small vehicle manufacturers to include vehicles and engines in a single engine category
80 and provide additional guidance to small volume manufacturers regarding the conversion of
81 older vehicle models.
82 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor urge the EPA to
83 continue a natural gas vehicle research, development, and demonstration funding program
84 within its existing budget and personnel levels.
85 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor encourage the

86 formation of public and private partnerships to increase the states' refueling infrastructure.
87 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the EPA and to
88 all members of the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate.