[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 58 (Thursday, May 12, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 12, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
        DIFFERENTIATING BETWEEN AGRICULTURAL OILS AND TOXIC OILS

                                 ______


                           HON. JILL L. LONG

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 12, 1994

  Ms. LONG. Mr. Speaker, today, Mr. Ewing, Mr. Boehner, Mr. Rowland, 
Mr. Skelton, Mr. Holden, and Mr. Montgomery are introducing legislation 
regarding the issue of Federal agencies differentiating between 
agricultural oils and toxic oils.
  For a year, House and Senate Members have been working on this issue. 
It should have been taken care of with thoughtful regulations.
  Mr. Speaker, in March of this year, more than 50 Members cosigned 
letters to top administration officials urging them to not regulate 
animal fats and vegetable oils [AF/VO] in the same manner as toxic oils 
such as petroleum oil. The reaction from the administration has been 
mixed. This leads us to believe that we could have a hodgepodge of 
unharmonized regulations regarding this issue. Therefore, today we are 
introducing this bill to address the issue legislatively.
  Mr. Speaker, currently agencies, including those at Interior, 
Commerce, Transportation, and at the Environmental Protection Agency 
[EPA], are developing rules which could regulate all oils alike 
(including animal fats/vegetable oils and petroleum oils).
  The Oil Pollution Act of 1990 [OPA 90] is a complex statute enacted 
in the aftermath of several disastrous petroleum spills (e.g., the 
Exxon Valdez spill) to provide for oilspill prevention and, in the 
event of such spills, cleanup and compensation. However, due to an 
overly broad definition of ``oil'' in the law, oils subject to the law 
include not only toxic petroleum oils but also nontoxic animal fats and 
vegetable oils. In spite of this overly broad definition, however, 
regulatory agencies have the discretion to differentiate among 
different types of oils based on their environmental impact and 
toxicity.
  Despite continued support in the House and Senate for the 
administration to differentiate between oils, some regulators continue 
to seek rules that treat AF/VO and toxic oils in the same manner.
  It just doesn't make sense. And it appears that rather than rely 
solely on regulations, a legislative change, such as our bill, is 
needed.
  Specifically, the bill would require any Federal agency to 
differentiate between fats, oils and greases or animal, marine, or 
vegetable origin, and other oils greases, in issuing certain 
regulations.
  I am hopeful that the legislation will help bring some reason to this 
issue.
  Finally, I note that the Members supporting this bill certainly have 
no objection to thoughtful regulations of animal fats and vegetable 
oils. However, ill-conceived regulations could impose burdensome and 
counterproductive spill response plan requirements. Such requirements, 
if implemented, could be costly for producers, processors, 
transporters, and ultimately consumers.
  I urge my colleagues to cosponsor this bill. Similar efforts in this 
regard have been supported by a number of House Members, including: Mr. 
Ewing, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Obey, Mr. Emerson, Mr. Baesler, Mr. Clyburn, Mr. 
Sarpalius, Mr. Lightfoot, Mr. Visclosky, Mr. Canady, Mr. Skelton, Mr. 
Bereuter, Mr. Nussle, Mr. Montgomery, Mr. Hayes, Mr. Bateman, Mr. 
Walsh, Mr. Bonilla, Mr. Buyer, Mr. Kingston, Mr. Boehner, Mr. Johnson 
(SD), Mr. Combest, Mr. Klug, Mr. Lipinski, Mr. Penny, Ms. Kaptur, Mr. 
Goodlatte, Mr. Minge, Mr. Geren, Mr. DeLay, Mr. Clinger, Mr. Towns, Mr. 
Hall (TX), Mr. Slattery, Mrs. Roukema, Mr. Manton, Mr. Wynn, Mr. 
Holden, Mr. Pastor, Mr. Oxley, Mr. Peterson (MN), Mr. Fawell, Ms. 
Myers, Mr. Gillmor, Ms. Danner, Mr. Baker, Mr. Grandy, Mr. Gekas, Mr. 
Tauzin, and Mr. McCloskey.
  In addition, the bill is supported by a large number of 
organizations, including: the American Bakers Association, the American 
Fats and Oils Association, American Feed Industry Association, American 
Frozen Food Institute, American Meat Institute, American Soybean 
Association, the Beer Institute, the Biscuit and Cracker Manufacturers' 
Association, Chocolate Manufacturers Association, Corn Refiners 
Association, Food Industry Environmental Forum, Food Industry 
Environmental Network, Food Marketing Institute, Grocery Manufacturers 
of America, Independent Bakers Association, Institute of Shortening and 
Edible Oils, International Dairy Foods Association, National 
Agricultural Chemicals Association, National American Wholesale 
Grocers' Association, National Association of Margarine Manufacturers, 
National Broiler Council, National Cattlemen's Association, National 
Confectioners Association, National Corn Growers Association, National 
Cotton Council of America, National Cottonseed Products Association, 
National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, National Environmental 
Strategies, National Fisheries Institute, National Food Processors 
Association, National Oilseed Processors Association, National Pasta 
Association, National Pork Producers Council, National Renderers 
Association, National Soft Drink Association, National Turkey 
Federation, Snack Food Association, and the U.S. Canola Association.
  Again, I urge my colleagues to support this measure.

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