Friday, December 22, 2017
(January 1, 2018) — More than 300 organizations representing users, retailers, customers, fleet managers, utilities, and producers of alternative fuels, including propane and natural gas, are circulating a letter on Capitol Hill urging Congress to reinstate the 50-cent-per-gallon alternative fuel tax credit (AFTC). The letter asked Congress to extend AFTC for two years and highlighted the business-planning benefits of such a move. It also observed that a full five-year extension would provide business certainty combined with a significant contribution to America’s economic growth. The National Propane Gas Association (NPGA) urges industry members to join a grassroots campaign to save propane tax credits by adding your name to the letter. Now that tax reform has passed with no energy tax credits, the NPGA needs every industry member's support to urge Congress to extend the alternative fuel tax (AFT) credit and the alternative fuel infrastructure tax credit. 
Noting the importance of private-sector investment to the U.S. economy, the letter stated: “Extending the AFTC promotes increased private-sector investment in infrastructure and equipment, which leads to more jobs and economic output.” Increased utilization of alternative transportation fuels results in proven environmental benefits and helps promote America’s energy security.
Nearly 200,000 vehicles in the U.S. are powered by propane autogas, including 12,000 school buses that transport more than 700,000 students every day. A school bus fueled by propane emits 13% less greenhouse gas emissions than a gasoline counterpart. Rick Roldan, president and CEO of the National Propane Gas Association, said, “This year, the United States will produce more than
20 billion gallons of propane, the majority of which is derived from natural gas processing. We have more than enough propane to heat homes and fuel vehicles. Congress should support reinstating the AFTC and the use of our domestic natural resources.”
Fueling with natural gas greatly reduces smog precursor nitrogen oxide, carbon dioxide, and greenhouse gas emissions. Benefits are amplified when fueled with renewable natural gas from captured landfill, waste treatment, and agricultural biogas. Daniel Gage, president of NGVAmerica, said, “Natural gas vehicles have long been the choice of fleet managers interested in escaping the volatility of ever-changing gasoline and diesel prices. NGVs [natural gas vehicles] are powered by American fuel, American technology, and American innovation. Among the cleanest emissions profile of any fuel on the market today, NGVs make a clean-air difference through a variety of applications—trucks, trash, transit, marine, and rail.”
Noting the importance of private-sector investment to the U.S. economy, the letter stated: “Extending the AFTC promotes increased private-sector investment in infrastructure and equipment, which leads to more jobs and economic output.” Increased utilization of alternative transportation fuels results in proven environmental benefits and helps promote America’s energy security.
Nearly 200,000 vehicles in the U.S. are powered by propane autogas, including 12,000 school buses that transport more than 700,000 students every day. A school bus fueled by propane emits 13% less greenhouse gas emissions than a gasoline counterpart. Rick Roldan, president and CEO of the National Propane Gas Association, said, “This year, the United States will produce more than
20 billion gallons of propane, the majority of which is derived from natural gas processing. We have more than enough propane to heat homes and fuel vehicles. Congress should support reinstating the AFTC and the use of our domestic natural resources.”
Fueling with natural gas greatly reduces smog precursor nitrogen oxide, carbon dioxide, and greenhouse gas emissions. Benefits are amplified when fueled with renewable natural gas from captured landfill, waste treatment, and agricultural biogas. Daniel Gage, president of NGVAmerica, said, “Natural gas vehicles have long been the choice of fleet managers interested in escaping the volatility of ever-changing gasoline and diesel prices. NGVs [natural gas vehicles] are powered by American fuel, American technology, and American innovation. Among the cleanest emissions profile of any fuel on the market today, NGVs make a clean-air difference through a variety of applications—trucks, trash, transit, marine, and rail.”
