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H.C.R. 1

             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 consecutive
             40      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 systems;
             48          WHEREAS, for a vehicle conversion from petroleum to natural gas to be legal, the
             49      aftermarket kit must be designed for the specific vehicle's engine;
             50          WHEREAS, each engine-specific conversion kit must undergo EPA-specified testing to
             51      ensure it meets emission standards and, upon passing, receive a Certificate of Conformity;
             52          WHEREAS, the EPA should revise and streamline the certification requirements
             53      applicable to small volume manufacturers;
             54          WHEREAS, the EPA should waive requirements for recertifying conversion kits if the
             55      kit has been previously certified for the model of vehicle to be converted and neither the kit nor
             56      the design and specifications of the model of vehicle to be converted have substantially
             57      changed;
             58          WHEREAS, the EPA should also permit small vehicle manufacturers to include


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





Legislative Review Note
    as of 12-22-08 1:01 PM


Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel


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