[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 116 (Thursday, July 19, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9619-S9620]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. INHOFE:
  S. 1828. A bill to require the Administrator of the Environmental 
Protection Agency to conduct a study of the feasibility of increasing 
the consumption in the United States of certain ethanol-blended 
gasoline; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
  Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce a small but 
important bill that seeks to improve the quality of the air we breathe 
and increase the level of public involvement under the Clean Air Act.
  The senior Senator from Rhode Island joined me in sponsoring an 
identical version of this bill as an amendment to the energy bill. 
Unfortunately, there was an objection to clearing that amendment for 
unknown reasons.
  The objection was a surprise, particularly given the widespread 
support across a variety of industries and advocacy groups. In fact, 
the Natural Resources Defense Council and American

[[Page S9620]]

Lung Association sent Senator Reed and me a letter of support.
  Under current law, the Clean Air Act allows a petition for a new 
renewable fuel or renewable fuel additive, including mid-level ethanol 
blends, to be approved without EPA taking any action whatsoever, not 
asking for public comment, not conducting studies on the safety or 
emissions impacts and not reviewing existing emissions or safety 
studies. In fact, current law provides that a petition is deemed 
approved even if EPA fails to act or make a determination one way or 
another.
  Environmental law and the Clean Air Act specifically, is premised 
upon public input and involvement. It is critical that this section of 
the Act, as elsewhere, provide for adequate stakeholder involvement. My 
bill would force EPA to give public notice and seek public comment from 
all interested persons on any petition for a new renewable fuel or 
renewable fuel additive.
  Safeguarding air quality is critical, but guaranteeing that the 
engines that consumers rely on is important as well. Studies done by 
Australia's EPA found that mid-level ethanol blends can cause the 
following problems with motor vehicle and small, off-road engines: 
failure of exhaust components, for example catalyst, due to heat/
durability, engine damage and seizure, engine stalling and stopping, 
failure of engine cut-off switches, unexpected engagement of cutting 
blades/chains, and fuel leaks and blockage of fuel lines. My bill 
directs EPA, with DOE's and USDA's assistance, to study whether the use 
of higher ethanol blends pose safety, air quality, or engine 
operability concerns in motor vehicle and nonroad engines, and 
equipment.
  Ethanol proponents should support this bill. The ethanol industry 
cannot afford to have consumers turn against their product if higher 
levels of ethanol blends cause their snowmobile, chainsaw, or boat 
engine to shut down. If EPA's study shows that these higher blends are 
safe for all engines, then the ethanol industry will benefit from the 
study.
  This bill is about good Government and transparent Government. EPA 
should not be permitted to approve these petitions ``in the dark of 
night,'' without public participation.
  The bill that I am introducing today, like the amendment that Senator 
Reed and I offered during the energy bill, will simply make sure that 
EPA carries out its duty to protect human health and the environment, 
increase the public's role under the Clean Air Act, and shed light on a 
currently private process.
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