Moran Announces House Passage of Measures to Increase Availability of Alternative Fuels for American Consumers

Bill Establishes Program for Independent Gas Stations to Install E-85 Pumps

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Jerry Moran today announced House passage of legislation to expand infrastructure necessary to increase the availability of alternative fuels at gas stations across the country. H.R. 5534 establishes a program for independent gas stations to apply for assistance to be used for the installation of infrastructure such as E-85 pumps. E-85 is an alternative fuel made up of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline.

"Though America's agriculture industry is gearing up production of ethanol and other alternative energy sources, our fueling stations throughout the country are lacking the distribution system and infrastructure needed to bring these alternative fuels to consumers," Moran said. "This legislation furthers efforts to reduce our nation's dependence on foreign oil by utilizing the resources we having growing in our backyards."

As automakers continue to manufacture an increasing number of Flex Fuel Vehicles, there is a significant need for more refueling sites across the country. Currently, of the 180,000 gas stations across the country, less than one percent offer alternative fuels such as E-85. In Kansas, alternative fuels are offered at about a dozen stations. This legislation could double the number of E-85 pumps in the U.S. annually.  

H.R. 5334 would:

• create a federal "Fuel Economy Fund" by diverting Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) penalties currently paid by automakers (roughly $20 million per year) from the general treasury to the "Fuel Economy Fund;"
• authorize the Department of Energy to use the fund for the establishment of alternative automobile fuel infrastructure;
• bar "large integrated oil companies" from receiving assistance; and,
• establish that no more than three percent of the fund can be used for administrative costs.

Moran introduced similar legislation earlier this spring. He is a senior member of the House Agriculture Committee.

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