Political Quotes

“The TEA 21 Restoration Act makes certain technical corrections to the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA 21), which was approved by Congress on May 22, 1998, and restores provisions agreed to by conferees but inadvertently not included in TEA 21. The striking of section 1211(j) of TEA 21 is not intended to suggest that a home heating oil pilot program should not be conducted as originally contemplated by Congress in 1995. Rather, because the Secretary has been given new authority under section 4007 of TEA 21 for waivers, exemptions and pilot programs, the heating oil pilot can be conducted under such authority so that section 1211(j) is redundant and no longer necessary. The home heating oil pilot program was first authorized in section 346 of the National Highway System Designation Act of 1995. Due to its limited, one-year duration and delays in establishing the pilot, it was never fully implemented by the Department of Transportation. While this extension is being dropped, the Secretary should utilize the general authority to conduct the heating oil pilot program. In addition, because of the unique seasonal nature of the heating oil industry, it is essential that a pilot program be implemented on or before December 1 if it is to have any value for the following winter heating season.”