COST Act

Bill Number

H.R. 2188

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Energy

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-03-18: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Last Updated

2025-04-04T16:30:44Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The "Comparison of Sustainable Transportation Act" (COST Act), H.R. 2188, aims to evaluate the financial and environmental implications of transitioning the federal government's light-duty vehicle fleet from gasoline-powered vehicles to alternative fuels. It mandates independent analyses to compare the costs and emissions of electric vehicles (EVs) and flex-fuel ethanol vehicles, providing data to inform future policy decisions on sustainable transportation without mandating any immediate changes.

Key Provisions

• Cost Analysis by the Comptroller General (Section 2):
• Requires an assessment of the expenses to replace gasoline-fueled light-duty vehicles in the federal fleet with:
• Electric vehicles, including plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs, which can run on electricity or gasoline).
• Flex-fuel ethanol vehicles, which can operate on gasoline or E85 (a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline).
• The analysis must include costs for necessary infrastructure, such as charging stations for EVs or fueling stations for ethanol vehicles, feasible for nationwide use in the federal fleet.
• Results must be published online within one year of the bill's enactment.

• Lifecycle Emissions Analysis by the Secretary of Energy (Section 3):
• Directs the use of the GREET model (a tool developed by Argonne National Laboratory to estimate greenhouse gas emissions, air pollutants, and energy use over a vehicle's full lifecycle, from production to disposal).
• Compares lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions for:
• Conventional gasoline vehicles.
• E85-capable flex-fuel vehicles.
• Battery electric vehicles.
• A report on the findings must be submitted to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation within one year of enactment.

• Definitions (Section 4):
• Clarifies terms: "E85" as the specified ethanol-gasoline blend; "Federal fleet" as vehicles owned or operated by the federal government, per the latest General Services Administration report; "Light-duty vehicle" as those with a gross vehicle weight rating of 8,500 pounds or less (typically passenger cars and small trucks).

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill introduces no direct amendments to current laws but establishes new requirements for federal studies and reporting. It builds on existing federal fleet management policies (e.g., under the Energy Policy Act) by mandating comparative analyses of EV and ethanol options, which were not previously required in this specific format. No binding directives for fleet changes are included; it focuses solely on data collection.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: Could influence budgeting and planning for the General Services Administration (GSA), which manages the federal fleet, and the Department of Energy (DOE). The analyses may guide future procurement decisions, potentially affecting costs for infrastructure upgrades across agencies using federal vehicles.
• On Citizens: Indirect effects through informed policymaking; results could shape national trends in vehicle technology adoption, but no immediate changes to public access or taxes.
• On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though findings on emissions and costs might inform U.S. positions in global climate discussions, such as those under the Paris Agreement, by highlighting domestic sustainable transport options.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Federal Government Entities: Comptroller General (Government Accountability Office), Secretary of Energy (DOE), GSA (fleet management), and congressional committees overseeing science, energy, and transportation.
• Industry and Environmental Groups: Automotive manufacturers (e.g., those producing EVs or flex-fuel vehicles), ethanol producers (e.g., biofuel industry), and environmental organizations interested in emissions data.
• Policymakers: Members of Congress evaluating sustainable fleet policies, potentially including advocates for electric or biofuel technologies.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: The bill is straightforward and administrative, relying on existing authorities of the Comptroller General and DOE without raising separation-of-powers issues. It ensures transparency through public publication and congressional reporting, aligning with federal accountability standards.
• Constitutional: No apparent conflicts; it involves routine executive branch analysis under congressional oversight, consistent with Article I powers to legislate.
• Political: Highlights a debate between EV-focused climate policies and biofuel alternatives (e.g., ethanol from U.S. agriculture), potentially appealing to regions with strong farming interests (like Iowa, home to bill sponsors). The non-binding nature avoids controversy but provides neutral data to counter polarized views on green transportation transitions.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Feenstra, Randy [R-IA-4]

Cosponsors (3)

Rep. Finstad, Brad [R-MN-1], Rep. Miller-Meeks, Mariannette [R-IA-1], Rep. Nunn, Zachary [R-IA-3]

Recent Actions

• 2025-03-18: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2025-03-18: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2025-03-18: Introduced in House
• 2025-03-18: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Comparison of Sustainable Transportation Act — issued 2025-03-18 — PDF (4 pages)