WASHINGTON - Last week U.S. Sens. Ben Cardin (D-MD), Roy Blunt (R-MO) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) introduced legislation to encourage greater use of propane as an alternative transportation fuel, especially for large fleets of trucks and buses.

The Propane Green Autogas Solution Act (S. 1120) seeks to extend for five years Federal Alternative Fuel Tax Credits for propane used as a motor fuel, propane vehicles and propane refueling infrastructure. In 2005, legislation established tax incentives for propane to promote its use in motor vehicles, reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil and reduce damage to the environment associated with gasoline and diesel use.

"Our nation must move to a more sustainable energy policy that lessens our dependence on foreign energy sources," said Cardin, a member of Senate Finance Committee and the Senate Environment & Public Works Committee. "It is in our national interest ?" and national security ?" to encourage alternative energy sources, including propane, as a way to move our economy forward and protect our environment. Propane is readily available and helps provide an alternative to imported oil."

Blunt added: "During a time when families and job creators in Missouri and across America are struggling to make ends meet, it??s critical that we continue to support domestic energy alternatives. Propane is a clean and reliable fuel, and this bill will provide consumers with greater access to this domestically-produced alternative."

Stabenow added that Michigan is the largest propane consuming state in the nation, noting that the legislation will help promote propane as an alternative fuel.

Reps. John Carter (R-TX), Dan Boren (D-OK) and Mike Rogers (R-AL) have introduced a companion measure, H.R. 2014, in the U.S. House.