Crush-for-credit legislation gets underway

New legislation would create a $700 million motor-rebate program for energy-efficient motors. This "crush for credit" legislative proposal has been introduced in the Senate as S. 3436.

The proposal creates a federal rebate program that will provide a $25 per horsepower rebate for the purchase of NEMA Premium energy-efficient motors. It also provides for a $5 per horsepower rebate for the proper disposal of the less efficient, non-NEMA Premium motors.

Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) introduced the legislation. However, the bill is only in the first step in the legislative process. Introduced May 27, it is now in committee. The majority of bills and resolutions never make it out of committee.