Statements on Introduced Bills And Joint Resolution: S.3735

Senator Tom Carper
Congressional Record: 116th Congress
14 May 2020

      By Mr. CARPER (for himself and Mr. Alexander):
  S. 3735. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend 
and modify the credit for alternative fuel vehicle refueling property; 
to the Committee on Finance.
  Mr. CARPER. Mr. President, I rise to talk about the Securing 
America's Clean Fuels Infrastructure Act, which I am introducing today 
with my good friend, the senior Senator from Tennessee. Our legislation 
would improve and expand the existing Alternative Fuel Vehicle 
Refueling Property Investment Tax Credit, which is commonly known as 
``30C.''
  The Securing America's Clean Fuels Infrastructure Act is about giving 
Americans a real choice when it comes to transportation, and it's about 
economic opportunity at a time when Americans need it most. On 
America's roads and highways today, gas stations are rarely farther 
than the next corner or next exit. That's not necessarily true for 
cleaner fuels. In order to meet our clean air and climate goals and 
lead the world in clean vehicle manufacturing, Americans must have 
greater access to hydrogen refueling and electric charging stations. 
Our legislation improves upon current tax credits to better incentivize 
companies to make investments today--rather than later--in the 
construction of clean fuel vehicle infrastructure nationwide.
  Currently, 30C provides a 30 percent investment tax credit for 
alternative fuel vehicle refueling property, which includes electric 
charging stations and hydrogen refueling stations. This tax credit 
expires on December 31, 2020. Today, the 30C investment tax credit, as 
it is structured and interpreted by the Internal Revenue Service, only 
allows the credit to be used on a per-location basis rather than on a 
per-device basis, which means that only one charging station per public 
parking garage could qualify for the credit. That current structure and 
interpretation of the credit makes it difficult to finance multiple 
charging or refueling stations at one location, or to finance 
expansions of one location in the future. The Securing America's Clean 
Fuels Infrastructure Act makes clear that the 30C investment tax credit 
can be applied to each item of refueling property (such as each 
charger) rather than per location.
  Additionally, the current $30,000 cap on business investments does 
not provide adequate support for the installation of today's fast-
charging electric vehicle stations or hydrogen refueling stations. The 
Securing America's Clean Fuels Infrastructure Act increases the 30C 
investment tax cap for business investments from $30,000 to $200,000 
for each item of refueling property.
  Finally, this legislation will also extend the credit for eight more 
years, to December 31, 2028, ensuring that the business community has 
the certainty needed to make long-term investments in clean fuels 
infrastructure.
  Our legislation is a commonsense way Congress can spur economic 
investments in our nation's aging infrastructure, help reduce 
transportation pollution, and support the millions of Americans that 
are considering buying a clean car today or in the future. That is why 
this bipartisan legislation has won broad support from the business and 
environmental communities. This is legislation that I commend to my 
colleagues for their serious consideration.