One of the many bills introduced right before Congress left for its election recess is one that would offer tax incentives for clean energy, including one that would help with the purchase of idle-reduction technologies for heavy-duty vehicles.

Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., and Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, introduced the Advanced Energy Tax Incentives Act of 2010 (S. 3935), which they say will create clean-energy and manufacturing jobs, help businesses and individuals make energy-savings investments, reduce greenhouse gases and increase U.S. energy security.

S. 3935 incorporates several bills the Senators jointly introduced earlier this Congress alongside numerous new provisions.

For idle-reduction devices with the capability to cool the cab, devices that consum not more than 0.10 gallon of diesel per hour are eligible for a credit of 50 percent, up to $5,000. For more than 0.10 but not more than 0.15, it's 40 percent, up to $4,000. For more than 0.15 but not more than 0.25 gallon per hour, it's 30 percent, up to $3,000.

For idle-reduction devices without cooling capacity, ones that use not more than 0.04 gallons of diesel per hour are eligible for a 50 percent credit up to $1,000. For those that use more than 0.04 but not more than 0.05, the max is $800.

Eligible idle reduction devices must emit fewer oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and particulate matter than what would be emitted by an engine meeting EPA's 2010 emissions standards. The tax credit would only be good through 2014.

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association reportedly worked close;y with Bingaman in developing the idle reduction feature in the bill.

A summary of the bill is available online at http://bingaman.senate.gov/policy/aetia_summ.pdf