Feb. 8, 2022—Two Michigan senators have reintroduced legislation that would give $1.7 billion to the U.S. Energy Department for fuel efficiency technology research and development.

The bill, known as the Vehicle Innovation Act, was brought to the Senate Feb. 1 by Sens. Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow, both democrats, and is co-sponsored by Rep. Bill Hagerty (R-Tennessee). If passed, the energy department would work with automakers and other "private-sector producers," as well as universities and independent labs, according to a report from The Detroit News.

Projects would be prioritized by the amount of total fuel savings promised and the amount of new jobs that would be produced. 

“Researchers, engineers and autoworkers in Michigan continue to lead the world in developing cutting-edge technologies that will make the next generation of cars and trucks safer and more efficient than ever before,” Peters said in a statement. “I’ll keep working to get it passed and signed into law to create more good-paying jobs in Michigan and ensure our workers and companies remain on the forefront of mobility innovation.”