Cortez Masto Introduces Bill Package to Lower Costs for Families, Take Advantage of Emerging Technology

Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) introduced three bills to make electric vehicles (EVs) and other clean transportation technologies more accessible to consumers throughout the country.

Under the Trump Administration, Nevada families have spent $2,216 more on goods and services, and gas prices have jumped. Since the start of Trump's war in Iran, Nevadans have spent $514,215,668 more on gasoline, or $460 more per household. Senator Cortez Masto's bill package supports the adoption of more cost-effective clean transportation technologies, which have expanded dramatically in recent years and are creating good-paying, union jobs. Putting more zero-emissions vehicles on the road will reduce American reliance on oil and gas from the Middle East and lower costs across the board.

"During the Trump Administration, Nevadans have been struggling with skyrocketing costs. Whether you're driving to work, shopping for groceries, or traveling to visit family in another town, everyday life has become more expensive," said Senator Cortez Masto. "By helping more American families and businesses access clean transportation technology, we can bring costs down for everyone, reduce our dependency on foreign oil, and create jobs - all while becoming more economically competitive with China."

Senator Cortez Masto's bill package includes three pieces of legislation:

• Cleaner Transportation Access for All Act - This legislation restores and extends tax credits and grant programs passed in the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for consumers who purchase new or used EVs and supports the construction of EV-friendly infrastructure, especially along travel and tourism corridors. It also contains a fuel conservation program to encourage federal government fleets to reduce their fuel use when consumers are paying increased prices. The Cleaner Transportation Access for All Act is cosponsored by Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.). The text of this legislation can be found here, and a one-pager can be found here.
• Clean Transportation Jobs and Development Act - This legislation strengthens the clean energy and transportation supply chain by supporting battery manufacturing and recycling, strengthening the domestic critical mineral supply chain, and investing in research and development to lower the cost of low-emission vehicles. The Clean Transportation Jobs and Development Act is cosponsored by Senators Padilla, Rosen, Van Hollen, and Bennet. The text of this legislation can be found here, and a one-pager can be found here.
• Deploying Revolutionary and Innovative Vehicle Energy-supply (DRIVE) Across America Act - This legislation would establish the Cleaner Transportation at Recreational Areas to Improve our Landmarks and Sites (TRAILS) Initiative. This comprehensive initiative would facilitate the adoption of zero-emission technologies in tourism corridors, by adding fueling infrastructure at National Parks and U.S. Forest Service sites and near airports and other tourist destinations. The Cleaner TRAILS Initiative will make it easier and cheaper for tourists to travel in their EVs and reduce emissions in the country's most pristine sites.The bill is cosponsored by Senators Padilla, Rosen, Van Hollen, Bennet, and Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii). The text of this legislation can be found here, and a one-pager can be found here.

Senator Cortez Masto has led efforts in Congress through her Innovation State Initiative to increase adoption of clean transportation and energy across Nevada. She has developed numerous legislative packages to help advance a national strategy on zero-emission vehicles and has passed multiple bills to support clean transportation into law. Cortez Masto has also secured funding for EV charging ports and low-emission public transportation throughout Nevada. She is leading on bipartisan legislation to strengthen the domestic supply chain for rare-earth magnets, which are critical components of cell phones, computers, defense systems, and electric vehicles, increase critical mineral production in the American West, and strengthen America's electric energy supply chain.

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