Bipartisan Bill Includes Kosmas-Posey Amendment to Establish Grant Program to Encourage Private Sector Investment

September 16, 2009 

(Washington, DC) – Today, Congresswoman Suzanne Kosmas (FL-24) voted in favor of the Advanced Vehicle Technology Act, legislation to create jobs, improve our economy, and promote energy independence by boosting American innovation in clean energies and fuel efficient vehicle technology.

The bipartisan bill will create the most comprehensive national vehicle research and development program to date in order to invest in a diverse range of near-term and long-range vehicle technologies that will improve fuel efficiency, support domestic research and manufacturing, and lead to greater consumer choice of vehicle technologies and fuels.  The legislation passed the House by a vote of 312-114.

“Bringing new clean energy jobs to Central Florida is one of my top priorities, and this legislation will spur job-creation while helping to keep us competitive in the global automotive market,” said Congresswoman Kosmas. “Increasing innovation in clean energy and fuel efficient vehicle technology will also reduce our dependence on foreign oil and strengthen our national security.” 
                                                                       
Congresswoman Kosmas, along with Congressman Bill Posey (R-FL-15), successfully passed an amendment to the legislation that would direct the Department of Energy to establish an Innovative Automotive Demonstration Program to award competitive grants to help businesses demonstrate and bring to the market very high energy efficiency vehicles achieving at least 70 miles per gallon.

“It is critical that we encourage private sector investment in fuel efficient technology in order to create jobs and develop a clean energy economy,” said Kosmas. “The establishment of this new grant program will ensure that we utilize the expertise of private industry with real world experience in conjunction with Department of Energy efforts.”

The bipartisan Advanced Vehicle Technology Act is supported by a broad coalition, including business groups such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers, environmental groups such as Sierra Club and National Resource Defense Council, and auto companies such as Ford Motor Company, General Motors and Chrysler.

Congresswoman Kosmas is committed to bringing new jobs to Central Florida, and the clean energy industry has the potential to revitalize our economy and create thousands of sustainable, high-quality jobs. Kosmas helped pass an historic clean energy jobs bill, the American Clean Energy and Security Act, which will create jobs by investing in clean energy technology.  The legislation’s investments, combined with the clean energy tax incentives and investments from the Recovery Act, could create an estimated 95,000 jobs a year in Florida and dramatically boost our local economy.

The text of Kosmas’ floor speech in support of the Posey-Kosmas amendment can be found below:

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Posey-Kosmas amendment and of this bill, HR 3246, the Advanced Vehicle Technology Act.  Our amendment would direct the Department of Energy to establish an Innovative Automotive Demonstration Program to award competitive grants for the purpose of demonstrating and bringing to the market very high energy efficiency vehicles achieving at least 70 miles per gallon in the near term.

Creating opportunities such as this ensure that we are utilizing the expertise of both the Department of Energy and those in industry that have real world experience.  This program will help to ensure our nation remains competitive in the world automotive market.  And here at home it will not only help us to meet new mileage and emissions requirements, but far exceed them.

Right now, companies across the nation, including in Central Florida, are researching and developing vehicles that will use light-weight materials and highly-efficient engines, enabling them to potentially reach 100 miles per gallon.  This program will help ensure that these companies are able to move past the R & D stage to demonstration and full-scale manufacturing in the near term.

Our nation can lead the world in innovation and technology achievements if we are willing to make the investment.

I would like to thank my friend and colleague Congressman Posey for working with me on this important program that will help consumers, reduce our emissions and dependence on foreign oil, and lead to new jobs Central Florida and across the nation.

I urge my colleagues to support the bipartisan Posey-Kosmas amendment and the underlying bill.  I yield back.

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