About EPAct
The Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct) was passed to reduce our nation's reliance on foreign petroleum, and improve air quality. Officially known as Public Law 102-486, EPAct includes provisions that address all aspects of energy supply and demand.
Several parts of EPAct were designed to encourage use of alternative fuels — which are not derived from petroleum — that could help reduce dependence on imported oil in transportation. Titles III and V employ regulatory approaches for encouraging the fundamental changes necessary to building a self-sustaining alternative fuel market.
Congress established several regulatory activities within EPAct that focus on building an inventory of alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) in large, centrally fueled fleets in metropolitan areas. EPAct requires certain fleets to purchase a percentage of light-duty AFVs, which are "capable" of running on alternative fuels, each year. Some types of vehicles are excluded. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) manages these acquisition requirements through the:
- Federal Fleet Requirements
- State and Alternative Fuel Provider Rule
- Private and Local Government Fleet Rule
In addition, the Alternative Fuel Designation Authority manages the petition and rulemaking process required to classify additional fuels as alternative fuels.
EPAct also includes the voluntary acquisition of light, medium, and heavy-duty AFVs. This area of EPAct is implemented through DOE's Clean Cities Program, which helps create markets for alternative fuels and AFVs through public/private partnerships in more than 80 U.S. cities.