Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HB3180

Introduced
5/10/23  
Refer
5/10/23  

Caption

BIDIRECTIONAL Act Bus Integration Dedicated to Improving Resilience, Eliminating Congestion, and Triggering Innovation Over Numerous Applications and Localities Act

Impact

The proposed program in HB 3180 would allocate $500 million from fiscal years 2024 to 2028 to encourage eligible entities, including municipalities and school districts, to develop projects that leverage electric buses as both transportation and energy resources. This integration of vehicles into the grid has potential benefits like lowering energy costs and improving the adaptability of the energy infrastructure, particularly as more renewable energy resources come online. Additionally, the program encourages pilot projects, partnerships, and community outreach to enhance the overall effectiveness and adoption of these technologies.

Summary

House Bill 3180, also known as the BIDIRECTIONAL Act, aims to promote the deployment of electric school buses and vehicle-to-grid technologies across the United States. By establishing a funding program through the Secretary of Energy, the bill prioritizes investments in technologies that enable electric vehicles (EVs) to not only consume energy but also discharge it back into the grid. This bidirectional charging capability is seen as crucial for enhancing energy resilience and reducing congestion in energy use, as it allows vehicles to serve as mobile energy storage units.

Contention

Notably, there are concerns surrounding the implementation of this bill. Critics may argue about the challenges related to the economic viability of bidirectional systems and the regulatory frameworks necessary to support widespread adoption. Furthermore, there are discussions about ensuring that projects are economically self-sustaining and replicable once established. The bill requires a detailed understanding of state-specific regulations regarding energy transmission and may encounter hurdles in aligning broad federal incentives with local energy needs and policies.

Companion Bills

US SB1548

Same As BIDIRECTIONAL Act Bus Integration Dedicated to Improving Resilience, Eliminating Congestion, and Triggering Innovation Over Numerous Applications and Localities Act

Similar Bills

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Advanced Aviation Act This bill directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to redesignate the Office of NextGen as the Office of Advanced Aviation within the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The new office duties include the coordination of rulemaking and approval processes on matters relating to advanced aviation systems (e.g., drones, supersonic aircraft technologies, counter-unmanned aircraft systems). The bill also establishes an Office of Advanced Integration within the Office of Advanced Aviation. Additionally, DOT must establish an Advanced Aviation Coordination Unit within the FAA whose responsibilities shall include the promotion of the safe and responsible integration of advanced aviation systems into the national airspace system. Further, DOT must redesignate the William J. Hughes Technical Center as the William J. Hughes Technical Center for Advanced Aviation. The center must establish and manage a program to evaluate new aviation-related technologies proposed to be used in the national airspace system and facilitate the integration of such technologies into the national airspace system.