42 U.S.C. § 13239 — Low interest loan program

(a) Establishment: Within 1 year after October 24, 1992, the Secretary must set up a program of low-interest loans. Small businesses that own or operate vehicle fleets get preference. The loans can pay for: (1) converting motor vehicles to run on alternative fuels; (2) the extra cost of buying alternative-fuel vehicles instead of comparable regular vehicles; or (3) the extra cost of buying nonroad vehicles and engines that the Secretary has designated under section 13238(c) of this title. (b) Loan terms: As much as practical, the Secretary must set reasonable loan terms. The Secretary should favor repayment schedules that let borrowers repay the loan using the money they save from paying less for alternative fuel than for gasoline. (c) Criteria: When deciding who gets a loan, the Secretary must weigh: (1) how much the applicant financially needs the loan; (2) the goal of helping as many applicants as possible; and (3) whether the applicant can repay the loan, considering the fuel savings they're likely to get. (d) Priorities: Fleets get priority if using alternative fuels would significantly help energy security and the environment. (e) Authorization of appropriations: Congress may provide up to $25,000,000 each year for fiscal years 1993, 1994, and 1995 to run this program.