Congress passed the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct) on October 24, 1992, with the goals of enhancing our nation's energy security and improving environmental quality. The Act addresses all aspects of energy supply and demand, from common forms of energy such as coal, oil, and nuclear power to alternative fuels, renewable energy, and energy efficiency. Through EPAct, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) aims to decrease the nation's dependence on foreign oil and increase energy security by encouraging the use of domestically produced alternative fuels. DOE's overall mission is to replace 30% of petroleum-based motor fuels by the year 2010. EPAct helps DOE achieve this goal by mandating that federal, state, and alternative fuel provider fleets purchase alternative fuel vehicles.
On August 8, 2005, EPAct was amended to include several new provisions, which are noted with their respective legislations throughout the Incentives & Laws section. Under EPAct of 2005, the U.S. Department of Energy must submit a report to Congress 180 days after the new legislation was enacted. The report must examine and discuss the number of alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) acquired by covered fleets, the amount of alternative fuel used in AFVs acquired by fleets covered by EPAct, the amount of petroleum displaced by covered fleets, the cost of compliance with EPAct, obstacles preventing compliance with EPAct and the use of alternative fuels, and projected impacts of the EPAct amendments of 2005.