Jul 22 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - Justin Hyde Detroit Free Press



A Senate committee approved two proposals Wednesday to boost plug-in hybrid vehicles and expand a $25-billion loan program for fuel-efficient vehicles to include commercial trucks and possibly more money.

The bills face an uncertain future in Congress, as Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., has yet to decide whether the Senate will attempt to tackle energy bills in the short time left in an election year.

The $3.6-billion, plug-in hybrid bill from Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., passed with support from Republicans and Democrats, several of whom said the technology seemed to be the best shot at reducing America's oil guzzling.

"I am willing to take the risk where we're putting our money on the electrification of vehicles," said Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska.

 The Dorgan bill would require the U.S. Department of Energy to come up with strategies for spreading plug-in hybrids -- from training mechanics to changing local zoning codes to accept charging stations.

It would spend $1.5 billion on plug-in research and create a $10-million Advanced Batteries for Tomorrow Prize for anyone who develops a vehicle battery that can provide 500 miles of range.

In response to complaints from automakers and some electric-vehicle advocates, Dorgan modified the bill to change a pilot program that would let cities apply for up to $250 million in grants to help roll out 400,000 plug-in vehicles.

After three years, the program could include a broader set of cities.

Dorgan, who's retiring this year, said he had no idea whether his bill could reach the floor.

"This has bipartisan support," he said. "It's clearly something we should do sooner rather than later."

The other measure by Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., would expand the Energy Department's loan program to include medium and heavy-duty truck makers, along with a wider range of suppliers.

Her bill would also lift the $25-billion cap on the program, with any additional money coming from future budgets.

So far, the department has awarded about $8.6 billion in loans to Ford, Nissan, Tesla, Fisker and Tenneco.

Contact JUSTIN HYDE: 202-906-8204 or jhyde@freepress.com

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