[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 135 (Thursday, October 2, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1909]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            H.R. 2568--ENERGY POLICY ACT AMENDMENTS OF 1997

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. KAREN McCARTHY

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 30, 1997

  Ms. McCARTHY of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my 
colleagues to cosponsor legislation which I have introduced with the 
gentleman from Illinois, Mr. Shimkus, H.R. 2568, the Energy Policy Act 
Amendments of 1997. This bipartisan legislation will allow the Federal 
Government, State, and local governments, as well as private entities 
and public utilities with large fleets to use a blended product called 
biodiesel as a part of the alternative fuel vehicle requirements set 
forth by the Energy Policy Act of 1992 [EPACT]. Biodiesel provides 
another option for fleet managers who must meet acquisition 
requirements from recent Department of Energy regulations. The original 
of alternative fuels did not include biodiesel, a product derived from 
soybean and other vegetable oils, because the technology had not been 
fully developed.
  State and local governments are required to meet a prescribed 
schedule of new fleet acquisitions that are alternatively fueled, 
starting at 10 percent in 1997 and ending with 75 percent in 2001 and 
subsequent futures years. Alternative fuel providers and utilities must 
meet a higher percentage requirement, starting at 30 percent this year 
and ending with 90 percent in 2001 and beyond. Offices that must meet 
these requirements earn credits for each alternatively fueled vehicle 
obtained during the given time period. Fines up to $50,000 per 
violation can be imposed for those entities that do not meet the 
requirements set forth by the implementing regulations.
  The biodiesel product has many benefits. It is a relatively 
inexpensive alternative because it can be used as a part of an 80/20 
blend with regular diesel fuel without requiring any modification to 
the diesel engines of existing fleet vehicles. The added value for the 
environment is the increased biodegradability of the product and the 
ability to turn waste into fuel. The product tests produce lower 
emissions of hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter, 
aiding local efforts to achieve Clean Air Act compliance.
  The proposed legislation does not include a tax credit or Federal 
mandate. Adoption could save the Federal Government and other entities 
money by providing a less expensive alternative that can be implemented 
immediately. In my own community, tests are being conducted by the 
Kansas City area metropolitan transit authority. Several buses are 
being run on the 80/20 blend so that fuel economy and emissions results 
can be compared to the standard results using a traditional diesel 
fuel. Early returns indicate that the fuel will reduce emissions and 
perform as well as it has in over 100 other demonstrations, reducing 
emissions by nearly 14 percent. While the cost of operating a vehicle 
on biodiesel fuel is comparable to the cost of other alternative and 
replacements fuels, a U.S. Department of Agriculture report indicates 
that the equipment and infrastructure costs associated with other 
alternative fuel options--tanks and fueling stations; retrofitting 
engines--is six to eight times greater than biodiesel.
  The Federal alternative fuel fleet standards were set in order to 
help clean the air and promote the use of alternative fuels to reduce 
our Nation's dependence on foreign sources of oil and gas. H.R. 2568 
would help meet the goals of EPACT by allowing for fleet managers to 
get credit for the actual use of alternative fuels, not just the 
acquisition of alternatively fueled vehicles. This legislation is a 
significant advancement in promoting alternatives which help reduce 
emissions and particulate matter; one that can be implemented quickly 
with minimal expense because it encourages products and technology 
which can be most easily adapted to the current fleet. Mr. Speaker, I 
urge my colleagues to join the bipartisan sponsors of H.R. 2568 and 
urge its passage.

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