109 HR 5658 IH: To facilitate the development of markets for alternative U.S. House of Representatives 2006-06-21 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I 109th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 5658 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES June 21, 2006 Mr. Gordon introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Science A BILL To facilitate the development of markets for alternative fuels and Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel fuel through research, development, and demonstration and data collection.

1.

Findings

The Congress finds that— (1)in order to lessen United States dependence on foreign sources of petroleum, and decrease demand for petroleum in the transportation sector, the Nation must diversify its fuel supply to include domestically produced alternative biobased fuels; (2)introduction of alternative biobased fuels presents a unique set of problems that may render the fuels incompatible with the current fuel transportation and delivery infrastructure, placing the burden of costly refurbishment and construction on fuel distributors and retailers; (3)chemical additives to the fuels may mitigate the negative impacts of biobased fuels on existing infrastructure and preclude costly retrofitting or installation of new biobased fuel compatible infrastructure and transportation systems; (4)in order to mitigate air pollution and comply with Federal mandates, Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel fuel is being introduced into the marketplace in 2006; (5)fuel labeled Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel can accumulate more than the statutory limit of 15 parts per million of sulfur when transported through multiple pipelines, tanks, and trucks to the final point of sale; and (6)fuel distributors and retailers may inadvertently take delivery of fuel labeled Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel with more than 15 parts per million of sulfur without a practical means of verifying sulfur content.

2.

Alternative fuel and ULSD infrastructure and additives research and development

The Secretary of Energy (in this Act referred to as the Secretary) , in consultation with the National Institute of Standards and Technology, shall carry out a program of research, development, demonstration, and commercial application of materials to be added to alternative biobased fuels and Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel fuels to make them more compatible with existing infrastructure used to store and deliver petroleum-based fuels to the point of final sale. The program shall address— (1)materials to prevent or mitigate— (A)corrosion of metal, plastic, rubber, cork, fiberglass, glues, or any other material used in pipes and storage tanks; (B)dissolving of storage tank sediments; (C)clogging of filters; (D)contamination from water or other adulterants or pollutants; (E)poor flow properties related to low temperatures; (F)oxidative and thermal instability in long-term storage and use; (G)increased volatile emissions; (H)microbial contamination; (I)problems associated with electrical conductivity; and (J)increased nitrogen oxide emissions; (2)alternatives to conventional methods for refurbishment and cleaning of gasoline and diesel tanks, including tank lining applications; and (3)other problems as identified by the Secretary in consultation with the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

3.

Sulfur testing for diesel fuels

(a)

Program

The Secretary, in consultation with the National Institute of Standards and Technology, shall carry out a research, development, and demonstration program on portable, low-cost, and accurate methods and technologies for testing of sulfur content in fuel, including Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel and Low Sulfur Diesel. (b)

Schedule of demonstrations

Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall begin demonstrations of technologies under subsection (a).

4.

Standard reference materials and data base development

Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the National Institute of Standards and Technology shall develop a physical properties data base and standard reference materials for alternative fuels. Such data base and standard reference materials shall be maintained and updated as appropriate as additional alternative fuels become available.