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