Burgess, Kinzinger unveil bill to spur advanced aviation technology manufacturing

U.S. Reps. Michael Burgess (R-TX) and Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) on Dec. 10 proposed a bipartisan bill to modernize a federal incentive program for manufacturing clean, environmentally friendly aviation technology.

“This legislation will help foster electric vehicle startups, including electric airplanes, by providing them the resources they need to get off the ground,” Sen. Burgess said. “I hope others will join in supporting this bipartisan cause. Ultimately, it is the marketplace that will determine the value of new technologies.” 

Rep. Burgess and Rep. Kinzinger are original cosponsors of the Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing (ATVM) Modernization Act, H.R. 8933, which they introduced with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Tony Cárdenas (D-CA) to update the ATVM Incentive program by expanding eligibility under the U.S. Energy Department’s ATVM loan program to include American-made, energy-efficient aircraft.

“While the program has shown success in the past by fueling the advanced automobile manufacturing sectors, it still has billions of dollars in loan authority,” said Rep. Kinzinger. “It’s time to put that money to good use for the next wave of advanced transportation technologies, including those in aviation — and that’s what our bill aims to do.”

“This same loan program can be attributed for the success of electric automobiles and will expand to other modes of transportation,” added Rep. Burgess.

Rep. Kinzinger noted that while the United States leads the world in research, development and innovation, the nation continues to be a net importer of advanced technology products.

“The Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing program is designed to steer American innovation and ingenuity into real-world manufacturing capabilities, thereby creating jobs and benefiting the environment,” he said. 

H.R. 8933 has been endorsed by Joby Aviation, Beta Technologies, Kitty Hawk Corp., the Urban Air Mobility Division of Hyundai Motor Group, Uber Technologies, and Rolls-Royce North America Inc.