WASHINGTON -- Two House Democratic leaders have introduced a far-reaching greenhouse gas bill that includes a cap-and-trade program that could impact the motorcoach and trucking industries.

The bills sponsors, Reps. Henry Waxman of California and Edward Markey of Massachusetts say their proposed legislation would reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil and create energy-related jobs.

The 648-page American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, would initiate a cap-and-trade program aimed mainly at stationary sources, such as electricity generating plants, and promote renewable sources of energy and carbon-capture technology, Waxman and Markey said in announcing the bill.

However, it is unclear whether over-the-road trucks and buses also would be included in the cap-and-trade system.

"Fleets" are mentioned in the legislation, as is the USEPA "SmartWay program" for commercial vehicles, "heavy-duty vehicles," and regulations that are going to kick in shortly. But its not crystal clear if trucks and buses are in or out.

One of the big questions the measure raises is how it might affect the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys plans to move forward with its own rules governing greenhouse gas emissions.

Last month, EPA sent its findings to the White House, formally declaring that greenhouse gas emissions endanger public health and welfare - a move that could accelerate government rulemaking related to air quality.

Other provisions of the bill that seem to speak to commercial buses and trucks include a requirement that states establish goals for reducing global warming pollution from the transportation sector and a plan for large metropolitan planning organizations to submit transportation plans to meet the states goals.

The draft legislation also gives EPA power to expand the SmartWay Transportation Efficiency Program as a way to increase the efficiency of on-highway heavy-duty vehicles.

The bill also directs the administration to define and collect data on the physical and operational characteristics of the nations commercial vehicle population, with special emphasis on data related to energy efficiency and greenhouse gas performance. The data would be collected every five years.

The data could be a way for federal regulators to establish a data baseline for future inclusion of trucks and buses in a cap-and-trade program.

Texas Rep. Joe Barton, ranking Republican on the House energy panel, said the bill represents a "triumph of fear over good sense and science, and it couldnt come at a worse time because it proposes to save the planet by sacrificing the economy."