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Sens. John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Joseph Lieberman (I-Conn.) recently introduced their climate change and energy draft legislation, the American Power Act (APA).

A significant portion of the revenue generated from the APA would come directly from fees imposed on the production of motor fuels, according to a press release issued by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA).

The bill would direct up to $6.25 billion a year for transportation investments from revenues generated from carbon fees and emissions auctions. APTA estimates a minimum of $19.5 billion would be generated from motor fuel production in 2013, the first year the bill would be in effect.

APTA and a coalition of 26 other transportation organizations are requesting that 100 percent of revenue generated from motor fuel fees be returned to the transportation sector and invested under a multi-year authorization bill, APTA officials said.

Currently the legislation proposes to:

• cap one-third of emissions allowances at $2.5 billion per year, which would be deposited into the Highway Trust Fund;

• cap one-third of emissions allowances at $1.875 billion per year, which would be distributed by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) for competitive grant funding to continue the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery program created by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act; and

• cap one-third of emissions allowances at $1.875 billion per year, which would be distributed by the USDOT for state and local investments in transportation greenhouse-gas emission reduction programs.