NATIONAL RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMS.

SEC. 3016. NATIONAL RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMS. * * * * * * * (c) Alternative Fuels Study.— (1) Study.—The Secretary shall conduct a study of the actions necessary to facilitate the purchase of increased volumes of alternative fuels (as defined in section 301 of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (42 U.S.C. 13211)) for use in public transit vehicles. (2) Scope of study.—The study conducted under this subsection shall focus on the incentives necessary to increase the use of alternative fuels in public transit vehicles, including buses, fixed guideway vehicles, and ferries. (3) Contents.—The study shall consider— (A) the environmental benefits of increased use of alternative fuels in transit vehicles; (B) existing opportunities available to transit system operators that encourage the purchase of alternative fuels for transit vehicle operation; (C) existing barriers to transit system operators that discourage the purchase of alternative fuels for transit vehicle operation, including situations where alternative fuels that do not require capital improvements to transit vehicles are disadvantaged over fuels that do require such improvements; and (D) the necessary levels and type of support necessary to encourage additional use of alternative fuels for transit vehicle operation. (4) Recommendations.—The study shall recommend regulatory and legislative alternatives that will result in the increased use of alternative fuels in transit vehicles. (5) Report.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report containing the results of the study completed under this subsection. * * * * * * *