AN ACT

 

1Requiring certain large mass transit agencies to purchase buses
2that meet certain criteria within a specific implementation 
3schedule; and providing for the powers and duties of the 
4Department of Transportation.

5The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
6hereby enacts as follows:

7Section 1. Short title.

8This act shall be known and may be cited as the Public
9Transportation and Natural Gas Act.

10Section 2. Definitions.

11The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
12have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
13context clearly indicates otherwise:

14"Bus." A motor vehicle designed for carrying 15 or more
15passengers, exclusive of the driver, and used for the
16transportation of persons for compensation.

17"Department." The Department of Transportation of the

1Commonwealth.

2"Large mass transit agency." A mass transit agency in this
3Commonwealth that:

4(1) Exceeds 245,000 revenue vehicle hours for two
5consecutive years as defined in 74 Pa.C.S. § 1503 (relating
6to definitions).

7(2) Provides regularly scheduled transportation that is
8available to the general public and is provided according to
9published schedules along designated published routes with
10specified stopping points for the taking on and discharging
11of passengers, including public buses. The term does not
12include a commuter rail system, exclusive ride taxi service,
13charter or sightseeing service, nonpublic transportation,
14school bus or limousine service.

15"Natural gas." Gas issued from the Earth's crust through
16natural openings or bored wells and that is typically a
17combustible mixture of methane and other hydrocarbons used
18chiefly as a fuel and raw material. The term includes the
19compressed form and liquefied form of natural gas.

20Section 3. New bus requirements.

21(a) General rule.--When purchasing a new bus, a large mass
22transit agency must purchase a bus that:

23(1) Is manufactured in the United States of America.

24(2) Uses natural gas as its fuel source.

25(3) Complies with the implementation schedule stated in
26subsection (b).

27(b) Implementation schedule.--New bus purchases by a large
28mass transit agency under subsection (a) shall be made according
29to the following schedule:

30(1) In calendar years 2013 through 2017, inclusive, no

1less than 25% of all new buses purchased shall use natural
2gas as their fuel source.

3(2) In calendar years 2018 through 2022, inclusive, no
4less than 50% of all new buses purchased shall use natural
5gas as their fuel source.

6(3) In calendar years 2023 through 2027, inclusive, no
7less than 75% of all new buses purchased shall use natural
8gas as their fuel source.

9(4) In calendar year 2028 and each calendar year
10thereafter, 100% of all new buses purchased shall use natural
11gas as their fuel source.

12Section 4. Enforcement.

13The department shall investigate compliance with and enforce
14the provisions of this act.

15Section 5. Regulations.

16The department shall promulgate rules and regulations as
17necessary to implement and administer the provisions of this
18act.

19Section 6. Effective date.

20This act shall take effect in 60 days.