Connecticut House Bill HB05369

Connecticut 2012 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/29/12
• Refer: 2/29/12

Caption

An Act Implementing A Natural Gas Vehicle Pilot Program For Municipal Fleets.

Impact

The legislation proposes significant changes to how municipalities might modernize their transportation systems, encouraging local governments to utilize natural gas vehicles. It stipulates that municipalities participating in the program must commit to acquiring a minimum of ten vehicles and that they will work with gas companies to develop necessary refueling infrastructure. Grants up to $500,000 will be available to assist municipalities in offsetting the initial costs of transitioning to natural gas. This could lead to reduced emissions and a shift towards greener municipal operations, aligning with broader environmental goals.

Summary

House Bill 05369 focuses on establishing a Natural Gas Vehicle Pilot Program aimed at facilitating the conversion of municipal vehicle fleets to natural gas. This bill mandates the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to set up this pilot program by July 1, 2012, which includes partnerships between municipalities and natural gas companies. The intent is to promote the adoption of cleaner transportation options within municipal fleets, specifically targeting medium and heavy-duty trucks as well as transit and school buses operated on compressed natural gas (CNG).

Contention

Despite the bill's potential benefits for environmental sustainability, there may be concerns about the financial implications for municipalities and the natural gas industry's role in public transportation. Discussions surrounding the bill are likely to include debates over the sustainability of natural gas as a long-term energy solution, as well as potential challenges in securing partnerships with gas companies. Moreover, there may be differing opinions on the effectiveness of the pilot program in achieving its intended outcomes, especially in ensuring that municipalities can adequately support the infrastructure needed for CNG vehicles.