Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (P.L. 110-140, H.R. 6)

The table below summarizes some of the significant sections of the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007. The table also indicates the agency that will have jurisdiction, any timeline indicated by the legislation, and potential next steps. If an agency has taken action on a particular section, a link is provided for more information about that action. Keep in mind that although legislation "authorizes" funding for activities, in many instances, the funds must still be "appropriated" through a separate federal budgeting process.

The information provided in the summary table was gathered from a number of authoritative sources, including New West Technologies, NGVAmerica, Alliance to Save Energy, and the Congressional Research Service.

For the complete final text of EISA go to The Library of Congress Web site. Use the Search Bill Text field to search by Bill Number for "H.R.6. ENR"

Section of EISA and Agency with Jurisdiction	Summary, Timeline, Next Action
Section 102 Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) Increase DOT, DOE, EPA	Requires an increase in combined (city and highway) CAFE standard to 35 mph overall by 2020. Implementation begins with model year 2011 and phases up. Also requires a rule by December 2010 for work trucks and commercial medium- and heavy-duty trucks. Phases in starting in model year 2011. Requires rulemaking.
Section 105 Consumer Information on the Benefits of Alternative Fuel Vehicles DOT, DOE, EPA	Requires the Department of Transportation (DOT) to develop a new system of rating vehicles that makes it easier for consumers to compare fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions of vehicles. Requires new labeling for fuel economy information, greenhouse gas emission benefits, and alternative fuel use. Final regulations due 42 months after enactment. Requires rulemaking.
Section 107 DOT/NAS Fuel Economy Studies DOT, NAS	DOT must execute an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) to develop a report evaluating vehicle fuel economy standards. Subsequent updates of the report are due every five years through 2025. Five years from agreement date. Requires appropriation.
Section 108 DOT/NAS Heavy-Duty Fuel Economy Studies DOT, NAS	DOT must execute an agreement with the NAS to develop a report evaluating vehicle fuel economy standards. One year from agreement date. Requires appropriation.
Section 109 Extension of FFV Credit Program DOT, NHTSA	Extends the current fuel economy credits for flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) and dual-fuel alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) through 2019. Provides B20-capable vehicles with the same level of fuel economy credit as other dual-fuel vehicles. The maximum increase that may result from such vehicles is capped at 1.2 mpg through 2014, after which it declines and expires in 2020. Effective immediately. Code amendment. Rulemaking from NHTSA expected in 2009.
Section 131 Transportation Electrification DOE	Authorizes the creation of a grant program supporting projects to encourage the use of plug-in electric drive vehicles or other emerging electric vehicle technologies. Timeline not specified. Requires appropriation.
Section 133 Inclusion of Electric Drive in Energy Policy Act of 1992 DOE	Affects state and alternative fuel provider fleets. Amends Section 508 credit program to require DOE to develop credits for hybrid vehicles, plug-in electrics, fuel cell and neighborhood electric vehicles, and infrastructure. Availability of credits is dependent on rulemaking. Requires rulemaking to determine credit allocation by 1/31/2009.
Section 134 Loan Guarantees for Fuel Efficient Automobile Parts Manufacturers DOE	Authorizes loan guarantees for production facilities for fuel efficient vehicles and parts, including electric drive and advanced diesels. Requires appropriation.
Section 135 Loans for Advanced Battery Production DOE	Authorizes loan guarantees for construction of manufacturing facilities for advanced vehicle batteries and battery systems. Timeline not specified. Establishing program requires appropriation.
Section 136 Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Incentives DOE	Authorizes funding awards and a direct loan program for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and component suppliers that re-equip, expand, or establish manufacturing facilities in the U.S. to produce qualifying vehicles and components. Authorizes funding for 2008-2012. Requires appropriation.
Section 141 Federal Vehicle Fleet EPA, DOE	Prohibits federal fleets from acquiring vehicles that are not a low GHG emitting vehicle. Timeline not specified. Requires rulemaking.
Section 142 Federal Fleet Conservation Requirements DOE	Note: DOE will conduct a rulemaking to change the 20% rduction to 2% to mirror the requirements in Executive Order 13423. Codifies existing executive order provisions relating to petroleum consumption and alternative fuel use. Requires federal agencies to achieve at least a 20% reduction in annual petroleum consumption and a 10% increase in annual alternative fuel consumption no later than October 1, 2015. Effective beginning in 2010.
Section 201-202 Renewable Fuels Standard EPA, DOE, USDA	Expands the renewable fuels standard to 9 billion gallons in 2008, with an increase of up to 36 billion gallons by 2022. One year. Requires rulemaking. See also Recent Federal Actions and Renewable Fuel Standard.
Section 203 Feedstock Impact Study of Renewable Fuels Standard DOE	Requires DOE to work with the NAS to conduct a study and issue a report on the impacts of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program, including impacts on various economic sectors. 18 months to complete study. Requires appropriation.
Section 204 Environmental and Resource Conservation Impacts DOE, EPA, USDA	Requires a study to report on the current and future environment and resource conservation impacts of an RFS program, both domestic and abroad. 3 years to complete study. Requires appropriation.
Section 221 Report on the Barriers to Increasing the Volume of Biodiesel Sold in the US DOE, EPA, NIST	Requires a report on the research and development challenges inherent in increasing the proportion of diesel fuel sold that is biodiesel. Report due 180 days from enactment. Requires appropriation.
Section 222 Report on the Barriers to Using Biogas as a Transportation Fuel DOE, EPA	Requires a report on the research and development challenges inherent in increasing the amount of biogas or blended biogas sold as transportation fuel in the U.S. Report due 180 days from enactment. Requires appropriation.
Section 225 Flexible Fuel Vehicle E85 Optimization Study DOE, DOT, EPA	Requires DOE to study whether optimizing FFVs to operate on ethanol would increase fuel efficiency. Study due 180 days from enactment. Requires appropriation.
Section 226 Study of Engine Durability and Performance with Biodiesel Use DOE, EPA	DOE, in cooperation with EPA, shall initiate a study on the effects of the use of biodiesel on the performance and durability of engines and engine systems. Initiate study within 30 days. Study due in 24 months. Requires appropriation.
Section 227 Study on Optimizing Natural Gas Vehicles for Biogas DOE, DOT, EPA	Requires a study of methods of increasing the fuel efficiency of vehicles using biogas by optimizing natural gas vehicle systems that can operate on biogas, including the advancement of vehicle fuel systems and the combination of hybrid-electric and plug-in hybrid electric drive platforms with natural gas vehicle systems using biogas. 180 days to initiate study. Requires appropriation.
Section 229 Biofuels and Biorefinery Information Center DOE, USDA	Develop a biofuels information repository housing data related to all facets of renewable fuels. Timeline not specified.
Section 232 Modifies Biomass Research and Development Act of 2000 DOE, EPA, USDA	Amends Section 977 of EPAct 2005 and the Biomass Research and Development Act of 2000 to include lifecycle GHG emissions, environmental impacts of RFS, and on-farm biofuels production.
Section 241 Prohibition of Franchise Agreement Restrictions Relating to Renewable Fuel Infrastructure TO BE DETERMINED	Amends Title I of the Petroleum Marketing Practices Act (15 U.S.C. 2801 et seq.) to prohibit future franchise agreements from containing any provisions that restricts the ability of stations to sell E85, B20, or renewable diesel, including installing a renewable fuel pump or tank, converting an existing tank or pump for renewable fuel use, advertising the sale of any renewable fuel, selling renewable fuel on the premises, purchasing renewable fuel, listing renewable fuel availability prices, and allowing for payment of renewable fuel with a credit card. Effective immediately.
Section 242 Reports on Market Penetration of FFVs and E85 Availability DOE, DOT	Requires annual reports to Congress on the market penetration of FFVs and a related bi-annual report on the feasibility of installing E85 infrastructure in areas where FFV penetration has reached 15%. Annual and bi-annual reporting effective immediately.
Section 243 Dedicated Ethanol Pipeline Feasibility Study DOE, DOT	Requires a study to assess the feasibility of ethanol pipelines including economics, market risk, existing or potential barriers, regulatory options to mitigate risk and other factors. 15 months from enactment. Requires appropriation.
Section 244 Renewable Fuel Infrastructure Grants DOE	Authorizes a program to provide grants for infrastructure development for renewable fuel blends of more than 10% but not greater than 85% ethanol. The program includes technical and marketing assistance. Also authorizes a pilot program to establish refueling infrastructure corridors. Authorization is $200 million annually for 2008-2014 ($1.4 billion authorized). Timeline not specified. Establishing program requires appropriation.
Section 245 Biofuels Transportation Infrastructure Adequacy DOE, DOT	Requires a study of the adequacy of existing transportation modes for domestically produced biofuels. 180 days from enactment.
Section 246 Federal Fleet Refueling Centers All federal agencies must comply. DOE to report on progress.	Requires each federal agency to install at least one renewable fuel pump at each federal fleet fueling center by January 1, 2010. An annual report on progress is required. Compliance by January 1, 2010. Requires appropriation.
Section 247 Standard Specification for Biodiesel and Biodiesel Blend Inspection and Enforcement Program EPA	Directs the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to initiate a rulemaking to develop fuel standards for B5 and B20 if ASTM has not developed standards within the year. EPA will develop an inspection and enforcement program for blends. Begins 1 year from enactment if standard has not been developed by ASTM. Requires rulemaking.
Section 248 Biofuels Distribution and Advanced Biofuels Infrastructure DOE, DOT, EPA	Authorizes a research, development, and demonstration program to test the physical and chemical properties of biofuels as they relate to existing and new distribution infrastructure. Timeline not specified. Requires appropriation.
Section 651 Lightweight Materials Research and Development DOE	Authorizes a program to assess how the weight of vehicles can be reduced and the cost of light-weight materials can be reduced to improve fuel efficiency without sacrificing safety. Authorizes $80 million for 2008 to 2012. Effective 2008-2012. Requires appropriation.
Section 654 H-Prize DOE	Authorizes DOE to competitively award cash prizes to advance the research, development, demonstration, and commercial application of hydrogen energy technologies. Amends Section 108, EPAct 2005 by adding this provision. No timeline specified. Requires appropriation.
Section 1131 Increased Federal Share for CMAQ Projects DOT, with state discretion	At the discretion of the state, for funds obligated in FY 2008 or 2009, the state share (20%) for Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality projects may be waived and the federal share may be up to 100% of the project cost. Effective FY2008 and 2009.