§ 13235. State and local incentives programs
(a)
Establishment of program
(1)
The Secretary shall, within one year after October 24, 1992, issue regulations establishing guidelines for comprehensive State alternative fuels and alternative fueled vehicle incentives and program plans designed to accelerate the introduction and use of such fuels and vehicles. Such guideline [1] shall address the development, modification, and implementation of such State plans and shall describe those program elements, as described in paragraph (3), to be addressed in such plans.
(2)
The Secretary, after consultation with the Secretary of Transportation and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, shall invite the Governor of each State to submit to the Secretary a State plan within one year after the effective date of the regulations issued under paragraph (1). Such plan shall include—
(3)
Each proposed State plan, in order to be eligible for Federal assistance under this section, shall describe the manner in which coordination shall be achieved with Federal and local governmental entities in implementing such plan, and shall include an examination of—
(A)
exemption from State sales tax or other State or local taxes or surcharges (other than such taxes or surcharges which are dedicated for transportation purposes) with respect to alternative fueled vehicles, alternative fuels, or alternative fueling facilities;
(B)
the introduction of alternative fueled vehicles into State-owned or operated motor vehicle fleets;
(G)
allowing public utilities to include in rates the incremental cost of—
but only to the extent that the inclusion of such costs in rates would not create competitive disadvantages for other market participants, and taking into consideration the effect inclusion of such costs would have on rates, service, and reliability to other utility customers;
(b)
Federal assistance to States
(1)
Upon request of the Governor of any State with a plan approved under this section, the Secretary may provide to such State—
(A)
information and technical assistance, including model State laws and proposed regulations relating to alternative fueled vehicles;
(2)
In determining whether to approve a State plan submitted under subsection (a) of this section, and in determining the amount of Federal financial assistance, if any, to be provided to any State under this subsection, the Secretary shall take into account—
(A)
the energy-related and environmental-related impacts, on a life cycle basis, of the introduction and use of alternative fueled vehicles included in the plan compared to conventional motor vehicles;
(c)
General provisions
(1)
In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall consult with the Secretary of Transportation on matters relating to transportation and with other appropriate Federal and State departments and agencies.
(2)
The Secretary shall report annually to the President and the Congress, and shall furnish copies of such report to the Governor of each State participating in the program, on the operation of the program under this section. Such report shall include—
(d)
Definitions
For the purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:
(2)
State
The term “State” means each of the several States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and any other Commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United States.
(e)
Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated for carrying out this section, $10,000,000 for each of the 5 fiscal years beginning after October 24, 1992.
[1] So in original. Probably should be “guidelines”.