[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 109 (Tuesday, July 14, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Page S5063]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS

      By Mr. DURBIN (for himself and Mr. Peters):
  S. 1763. A bill to require a study on the public health and 
environmental impacts of the production, transportation, storage, and 
use of petroleum coke, and for other purposes; to the Committee on 
Environment and Public Works.
  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of 
the bill be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                S. 1763

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

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Petroleum Coke Transparency 
     and Public Health Protection Act''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       Congress finds the following:
       (1) In the past several years, United States crude oil 
     refineries have grown their coking capacity to accommodate 
     the conversion of heavy crude oils into refined petroleum 
     products.
       (2) As coking capacity has grown, the domestic production 
     of petroleum coke is expected to grow, leading to increases 
     in the storage, transportation, and use of the material.
       (3) In Detroit, piles of petroleum coke have been stored in 
     the open air on the banks of the Detroit River.
       (4) Uncovered piles of petroleum coke have also been stored 
     in Southeast Chicago near homes and local baseball fields.
       (5) State regulators, communities, and industry 
     stakeholders would benefit from a complete understanding of 
     petroleum coke and the potential impact on public health and 
     the environment related to the production, transportation, 
     storage, and use of petroleum coke.

     SEC. 3. STUDY OF PETROLEUM COKE PUBLIC HEALTH AND 
                   ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human 
     Services, in consultation with the Administrator of the 
     Environmental Protection Agency, the Secretary of 
     Transportation, and the Secretary of Energy, shall submit to 
     Congress a report containing the results of a study 
     concerning petroleum coke that includes the following:
       (1) An analysis of the public health and environmental 
     impacts of the production, transportation, storage, and use 
     of petroleum coke.
       (2) An assessment of potential approaches and best 
     practices for storing, transporting, and managing petroleum 
     coke.
       (3) A quantitative analysis of current and projected 
     domestic petroleum coke production and utilization locations.
       (b) Best Available Science.--The study under subsection (a) 
     shall be carried out using the best available science, 
     including readily available information from appropriate 
     State agencies, nonprofit entities, academic entities, and 
     industry.
       (c) Publication of Report.--Not later than 180 days after 
     the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health 
     and Human Services shall publish on the Internet website of 
     the Department of Health and Human Service the report 
     described in subsection (a).

     SEC. 4. IMPLEMENTATION OF STANDARDS.

       Not later than one year after the date of enactment of this 
     Act, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection 
     Agency, in consultation with the Secretary of Transportation, 
     shall promulgate rules concerning the storage and 
     transportation of petroleum coke that ensure the protection 
     of public and ecological health based upon the findings of 
     the study conducted under section 3.

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