As the Senate moved closer to a floor vote on an energy policy package, lawmakers added an amendment to authorize $1 billion over five years to help cover the costs of retrofitting old diesel engines on construction equipment, buses and other vehicles to curb harmful emissions.
The amendment, proposed by Sen. George V. Voinovich (R-Ohio), was approved June 21 on a 92-1 vote. It would provide $200 million a year in grants and loans. Voinovich says 20% of the money would go to states. State could share another 10% of the total if they put up their own funds to match the federal aid.