[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 53 (Monday, March 30, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3993-S3994]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Ms. COLLINS (for herself and Mr. Udall of Colorado):
  S. 737. A bill to amend the Energy Independence and Security Act of 
2007 to authorize the Secretary of Energy to conduct research, 
development, and demonstration to make biofuels more compatible with 
small nonroad engines, and for other purposes; to the Committee on 
Energy and Natural Resources.
  Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, today I, along with Senator Udall of 
Colorado, am introducing legislation that would amend the Energy 
Independence and Security Act of 2007 to expand on a research, 
development, and demonstration program, authorized in that bill, to 
include efforts to make biofuels more compatible with small non-road 
engines.
  The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, directed the 
Secretary of the Department of Energy, DOE, in coordination with the 
Secretary of the Department of Transportation, DOT, and in consultation 
with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, to 
carry out a program of research and development regarding the impact 
that biofuels, like ethanol, may have on existing fuel storage and 
delivery infrastructure used for petroleum-based fuels. It is critical 
that these biofuels also are safe to use in operating small non-road 
engines. My bill requires these agencies to expand their research 
program to include small engines such as those in snowmobiles, boats, 
lawnmowers, and chainsaws.
  Previous testing done through DOE shows that increased ethanol 
content in smaller engines creates a leaner burning mixture, which may 
increase idle speed on some small engines, creating unanticipated 
clutch engagement on equipment such as chainsaws and handheld trimmers. 
Also, ethanol is more corrosive and less efficient than traditional 
gasoline blends. During these difficult economic times, equipment 
damage due to ethanol-gasoline fuel blends only adds to the many 
challenges facing Maine's farmers, fishermen, independent woodsmen, and 
recreational industry.
  As we pursue strategies to lessen our dependence on foreign oil, we 
must also take action to ensure that ethanol fuel blends are safe and 
efficient for small engines. I urge my colleagues to support this 
important legislation.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                                 S. 737

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. BIOFUELS DISTRIBUTION AND ADVANCED BIOFUELS 
                   INFRASTRUCTURE.

       Section 248 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 
     2007 (42 U.S.C. 17054) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``and new alternative 
     distribution infrastructure'' and inserting ``, new 
     alternative distribution infrastructure, and effects on small 
     engines''; and
       (2) in subsection (b)--
       (A) in paragraph (8), by striking ``and'' after the 
     semicolon at the end;
       (B) by redesignating paragraph (9) as paragraph (10); and
       (C) by inserting after paragraph (8) the following:
       ``(9) problems associated with the use of biofuels in small 
     nonroad engines; and''.

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