Senators Chris Coons (D-Delaware) and John Cornyn (R-Texas) renewed their bipartisan Hydrogen Infrastructure Initiative, four legislation to promote hydrogen power in energy-intensive sectors. Cosponsors include Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-New Mexico), Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana), John Hickenlooper (D-Colorado), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), and Martin Heinrich.
Four pieces of legislation support hydrogen infrastructure and high-value end-use applications. The initiative supports energy-intensive sectors like maritime, transportation, and heavy industrial, as well as hydrogen transport infrastructure.
Projects that reduce emissions most benefit the environment are prioritized. The Senators said the package lowers cost barriers and first-mover risks, enabling initiatives and collaborations that will help the US fulfill hydrogen economy objectives.
The Senators claimed the proposal would minimize cost and risk for fleet operators interested in hydrogen fuel cell vehicles by providing data and standards, motivating private investment and speeding demonstration and implementation. The hydrogen economy will immediately use automobiles and fuelling facilities that are adopted simultaneously.
According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration papers, Navistar has issued two recalls impacting over 32,000 International vehicles owing to ECM and BCM concerns. 27,972 2022-2024 HV, MV, and IC Bus TC commercial buses are recalled. The engine may rev and move the car if the parking brake is applied, the automatic transmission is in drive or reverse, and the stationary power take-off (PTO) switch is engaged.
Navistar reports 6,093 International HV vehicles and 21,710 MV trucks affected. The recall affects 169 IC Bus models. Dealers will free-update Cummins ECM software. Owner notification letters should arrive April 24. Navistar customers can call 1-800-448-7825 with recall number 23504. NHTSA recall 23V-120. In 2021, International recalled about 17,000 trucks.
The other recall involves 4,199 2018-2021 International HV, 2019-2021 RH, 2019-2022 MV, and 2022 International HX vehicles. Parking brake failure may result from BCM software error. Navistar reported 2,690 HV trucks, one HX truck, 1,491 MV trucks, and 17 RH trucks in the suspect population.
Dealers will free-update BCM software. Owner notification letters are due April 24, 2023. . NHTSA recall 23V-119. This week, U.S. Senators Deb Fischer (R-Nebraska) and Alex Padilla (D-California) proposed legislation to allow veterans to use their GI benefits at new CDL schools whose primary institutions have regulatory certification. Existing statutes mandate the VA and state authorities to refuse GI benefits for two years to a certified trucking school that creates a secondary facility in a new location.
A news statement on the legislation estimates 8,400 GI bill-approved commercial driving programs for qualified veterans. The Fischer-Padilla proposal would allow CDL schools to provide courses in new branches without waiting two years if the primary institution has been certified by the VA and State Approving Agencies for GI benefits. Senators stated the bill will make CDL schools closer to veterans and lead to high-paying industry jobs by clarifying this two-year moratorium statute.
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