The Texas Department of Transportation must run a field demonstration of at least four fuel-saving technologies, and the state energy conservation office must oversee related selection, ranking, reporting, and posting duties.
Sec. 447.011. FIELD DEMONSTRATIONS. (a) Under the direction of the state energy conservation office, the Texas Department of Transportation shall demonstrate the effectiveness of at least four fuel-saving technologies on a combined maximum of 100 motor vehicles or non-road diesels in accordance with this section to determine the fuel-saving technologies that may cost-effectively reduce fuel consumption and save state revenue. (b) The Texas Department of Transportation shall select varying ages and types of motor vehicles and non-road diesels to demonstrate the fuel-saving technologies and shall give a preference to high-use motor vehicles and non-road diesels in the selection. (c) The Texas Department of Transportation shall demonstrate the performance of fuel-saving technologies by: (1) assessing a technology's performance in the normal course of operations of motor vehicles or non-road diesels; and (2) performing controlled field tests. (d) In selecting the technologies to be evaluated, the state energy conservation office shall: (1) consult with governmental and business organizations that are currently using fuel-saving technology; (2) consider technologies that are proven fuel-saving technologies that have demonstrated fuel economy benefits of five percent or more in field tests or recorded use data of government organizations or businesses that operate fleets; and (3) determine whether each technology selected has the potential to be cost-effective. (e) A fuel-saving technology may be disqualified from being demonstrated or used if it is known to reduce engine performance, reduce the life of the engine, require additional maintenance expenses, or degrade air quality. (f) The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the Texas Transportation Institute, The University of Texas Center for Transportation Research, the University of Houston Diesel Emissions Center, or another agency may be designated to assist with executing the demonstration, compiling the results, estimating the potential average fuel savings of the technologies in different applications, or preparing a final report. (g) On completing the demonstration described by this section the state energy conservation office shall rank the fuel-saving technologies based on their fuel savings, other cost savings, and overall cost-effectiveness. The office shall: (1) list recommended applications of the technologies; (2) document other negative or positive effects; and (3) prepare a concise report of these findings. (h) The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality shall obtain information on any fuel-saving technology that appears to reduce particulate matter, oxides of nitrogen, carbon monoxide, or hydrocarbon emissions. (i) The state energy conservation office shall provide the report prepared under Subsection (g) to each state agency with 10 or more motor vehicles or non-road diesels and to the Legislative Budget Board. (j) The demonstration and associated reports described by this section shall be completed not later than January 1, 2005. (k) All results of a demonstration project under this section shall be made public on the state energy conservation office's Internet website. (l) The state energy conservation office shall provide quarterly an updated list of all proven fuel-saving technologies on its Internet website. (m) Money from the state highway fund may not be used for the purchase, installation, maintenance, or operation of the fuel-saving technologies being assessed or subjected to controlled field tests under this section. Repairs to state equipment resulting from demonstrations of fuel-saving technologies must be paid from the same funds used to implement this section. Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., 3rd C.S., ch. 3, Sec. 5.01, eff. Jan. 11, 2004. Amended by: Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 28 (S.B. 527), Sec. 7, eff. September 1, 2011.