Press Releases :: February 8, 2007

House Passes Bill Paving the Way for Biofuels

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives moved the nation a step closer to energy independence and a more diversified fuel supply by passing a bill designed to make biofuels more affordable and accessible to retailers and consumers.

H.R. 547, the Advanced Fuels Infrastructure Research and Development Act, passed overwhelmingly.  Committee on Science and Technology Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN) authored the bipartisan bill – the first energy legislation cleared by the House this Congress.

"It is clear that relying solely on conventional fuels like gasoline could threaten our economic well-being and environmental health," said Chairman Gordon.  "The public wants and deserves clean and reliable fuel choices.  Passing this biofuels bill will help get us there."

H.R. 547 authorizes $10 million to initiate a research and development program to make biofuels more compatible with present-day infrastructure.  Currently, biofuels like E85 ethanol and some biodiesel blends have different physical and chemical properties, often making them incompatible with existing petroleum-based infrastructure.  As a result, tank and pipeline corrosion, sediment buildup and/or clogged filters are among the issues that can arise.

This bill works to save fuel distributors and retailers from bearing the high cost of replacing or building new infrastructure and instead directs the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – in consultation with the Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) – to research and develop new technologies that would allow retailers to use alternative fuels in existing infrastructure – essentially, putting the fuel in consumers' tanks at a savings to retailers and consumers.  Some of those technologies might include fuel additives, blend stocks or easier tank reconditioning methods.

The Science and Technology’s Subcommittee on Energy and Environment held a hearing on the bill January 30 and the full Committee reported it unanimously the next day.

"Energy is on everyone’s minds these days.  But, it’s not enough to simply develop new alternatives to petroleum-based fuels," said Subcommittee on Energy and Environment Chairman Nick Lampson (D-TX). "We must also ensure the availability of infrastructure and equipment for transporting, distributing and utilizing these new fuels at reasonable cost.  That is where H.R. 547 comes in."

H.R. 547 also directs EPA and NIST to develop low-cost, portable methods to accurately test sulfur content of diesel fuels, ensuring that ultra-low sulfur diesel does not exceed mandated sulfur levels.  Those two agencies would also develop standards for biofuels like those that already exist for petroleum-based fuels.

In the 109th Congress, similar legislation was introduced to help facilitate the marketing of alternative fuels to consumers.  In 2006, the bill’s provisions were approved by the Science Committee as an amendment to H.R. 5656, the Energy Research, Development, Demonstration, and Commercial Application Act of 2006 and passed by the full House of Representatives (as H.R. 6203).

H.R. 547 has been endorsed by the Society of Independent Gasoline Marketers Association, National Association of Convenience Stores, Renewable Fuels Association, Natural Resources Defense Council, Petroleum Marketers Association of America, NATSO (representing travel plaza and truckstop owners and operators), the Coalition of E85 Retailers, and American Petroleum Institute.

H.R. 547 is now expected to head to the Senate for consideration.

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