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.

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II

Calendar No. 1070

110th CONGRESS

2d Session

S. 1828

[Report No. 110–494]

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

July 19, 2007

Mr. Inhofe introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works

September 24 (legislative day, September 17), 2008

Reported by Mrs. Boxer, with an amendment

Omit the part struck through

A BILL

To require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to conduct a study of the feasibility of increasing consumption in the United States of certain ethanol-blended gasoline.

1.

Study of increased consumption of ethanol-blended gasoline with higher levels of ethanol

(a)

In general

The Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, in cooperation with the Secretary of Energy, the Secretary of Agriculture, and the Secretary of Transportation, and after providing notice and an opportunity for public comment, shall conduct a study of the feasibility of increasing consumption in the United States of ethanol-blended gasoline with levels of ethanol of not less than 10 percent and not more than 40 percent.

(b)

Study

The study under subsection (a) shall include—

(1)

a review of production and infrastructure constraints on increasing the consumption of ethanol;

(2)

an evaluation of the economic, market, and energy impacts of State and regional differences in ethanol blends;

(3)

an evaluation of the economic, market, and energy impacts on gasoline retailers and consumers of separate and distinctly-labeled fuel storage facilities and dispensers;

(4)

an evaluation on the environmental impacts of mid-level ethanol blends on evaporative and exhaust emissions from on-road, off-road and marine engines, recreational boats, vehicles, and equipment;

(5)

an evaluation of the impacts of mid-level ethanol blends on the operation, durability and performance of onroad, off-road, and marine engines, recreational boats, vehicles, and equipment; and

(6)

an evaluation of the safety impacts of mid-level ethanol blends on consumers that own and operate off-road and marine engines, recreational boats, vehicles, or equipment.

(c)

Report

Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to Congress a report describing the results of the study conducted under this section.

(d)

Authorization of appropriations

There is authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator to carry out the study under this section $1,000,000.

(e)

Technical amendment

Section 211(f)(4) of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7545(f)(4)) is amended by striking the last sentence and inserting the following:The Administrator may approve an application to waive a prohibition under paragraph (1) or (3), or the limitation specified in paragraph (2), only after providing for notice and an opportunity for public comment..

September 24 (legislative day, September 17), 2008

Reported with an amendment