II 109th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 2263 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 9, 2006 Mr. Dayton introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation A BILL To amend title 49, United States Code, to require that automobiles and light trucks manufactured after model year 2007 be able to operate on a fuel mixture that is at least 85 percent ethanol, and for other purposes.
1.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the Freedom From Foreign Oil Act of 2006.
2.
Requirement to permit automobiles to use certain alternative fuels
(a)
Requirement
Chapter 329 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 32902 the following new section:
32902A.
Requirement to equip automobiles to use alternative biofuels
(a)
Requirement
A passenger automobile, an automobile capable of off-highway operation, or a light truck manufactured that is by a manufacturer for a model year after model year 2007 and is capable of operating on gasoline shall also be capable of operating on a flexible fuel mixture. (b)
Consumer Information
The Secretary of Transportation shall prescribe regulations that require the manufacturer of passenger automobiles, automobiles capable of off-highway operation, or light trucks— (1)to prominently display a permanent badge or emblem on the quarter panel or tailgate of each such automobile or light truck manufactured by the manufacturer that indicates such automobile or light truck is capable of operating on a flexible fuel mixture; and (2)to include in the owner’s manual of each such automobile or light truck information describing— (A)the capability of the automobile or light truck to operate using a flexible fuel mixture; and (B)the benefits of using a flexible fuel mixture, including the renewable nature, the increased fuel efficiency, and the environmental benefits of using flexible fuels. (c)
Definitions
In this section: (1)
Automobile capable of off-highway operation
The term automobile capable of off-highway operation has the meaning given that term in section 523.5 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation). (2)
Flexible fuel mixture
The term flexible fuel mixture means a mixture of gasoline and ethanol at least 85 percent of which is ethanol, as measured by volume. (3)
Light truck
The term light truck has the meaning given that term in section 523.5 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation).
. (b)
Clerical Amendment
The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 32902 the following new item: 32902A. Requirement to equip automobiles to use alternative biofuels. .
3.
Violations before 2009
A person may not be treated as being in violation of section 32911(a) of title 49, United States Code, for a failure to comply with section 32902A of such title, as added by section 2, on any date before January 1, 2009.
4.
Activities to promote the use of certain alternative fuels
The Secretary of Transportation shall carry out activities to promote the use of a mixture containing at least 85 percent of ethanol by volume with gasoline to power motor vehicles in the United States.