Amador County – Congressman Dan Lungren, (Republican–District 3, of California), introduced a new bill earlier this month that would award a $1 billion prize to the first U.S. company that can produce and sell 60,000 cars that are gasoline powered, and that can get 100 miles per gallon gas mileage.

The bill would “provide a prize to the first manufacturer of highly-efficient mid-sized automobiles powered by gasoline.” In summary, it said: “The Secretary of Energy shall establish a program to award a prize in the amount of $1 billion dollars to the first automobile manufacturer incorporated in the United States to manufacture and sell in the United States 60,000 mid-sized sedan automobiles which operate on gasoline and can travel 100 miles per gallon.”

The bill was introduced Feb. 1, in the second session of the 112th Congress of the United States. The bill, called the “Excellence in Energy Efficiency Act,” H.R. 3872, or the “E Prize Act of 2012,” was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Lungren aid Brian Kaveney said the Congressman was unsure of the committee schedule.

Kaveney said: “We have not heard anything about the bill being brought up for a hearing at this point. All we know is that it has been delivered.” Lungren represents Amador County until the June 5 primary, when California’s newly redistricted Congressional districts go into effect. Lungren will seek reelection in District 7.

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.