STATEMENT OF U.S. SENATOR RICHARD J. DURBIN
JUNE 14, 2000
SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS
SUBCOMMITTEE ON CLEAN AIR

Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the opportunity to appear before the Subcommittee and to speak about the positive effects of renewable ethanol fuel and its benefits to our nation's environment.

I'm sure this will come as no surprise to my colleagues, but I'm a strong supporter of ethanol. Illinois is the nation's largest ethanol producer. One in every six rows of Illinois corn -- 280 million bushels -- goes to ethanol production. But, an expanded role for this renewable fuel is more than a boost to industry, it's jobs to rural America, and it's energy security. As we look for solutions to rising oil prices, we must remember that ethanol is a viable alternative fuel -- domestically produced and environmentally friendly. In fact, every 23 gallons of ethanol displaces a barrel of foreign oil.

In Illinois, we don't just talk about the importance of ethanol, we practice what we preach. The Chicago reformulated gasoline (RFG) market accounts for 400 million gallons of ethanol demand. It is the foundation of the domestic ethanol industry today. The State enjoys a very successful RFG program. Air quality has improved and refiners support the program. The reason for this success is clear - Chicago's RFG is ethanol-based. Last year, the Chicago chapter of the American Lung Association released a report which lauded the Chicago RFG program and concluded that ethanol RFG has reduced ground level ozone more than any other pollution control strategy. Clearly, Illinois wants the ethanol RFG program to be maintained.

In this 106th Congress, we have several ethanol-related issues before us. Not in many years has the future of the Clean Air program been so clearly on the legislative front-burner on Capitol Hill and at the White House.

First, let me say that this Administration led by President Clinton and Vice President Gore deserves high marks for their continuing commitment to ethanol and to our environment.

This Spring's announcement that U.S. EPA will seek legislative changes to the Clean Air Act to phase out and eventually ban MTBE is good news. We all know the dangers of MTBE to our environment, our water supply, and our communities. Although this additive has only been widely used for about five years, it is now one of the most frequently detected volatile organic chemicals in drinking water supplies across the nation. In fact, MTBE contamination has affected a number of Illinois communities, raising many public health concerns.

Last month, Senator Kit Bond, a Member of the full committee, and I introduced legislation that would ban the gasoline additive MTBE and promote the use of renewable ethanol fuel. The Clean Air and Water Preservation Act of 2000 (S. 2546) addresses MTBE's serious problems by banning it within three years and urging refiners to replace it with ethanol. The bill also improves consumer protection by requiring gasoline stations to label pumps that still sell MTBE. And the Environmental Protection Agency is directed to assist states in getting the chemical out of their groundwater.

Furthermore, the Clean Air and Water Preservation Act of 2000 includes strict anti-backsliding provisions to ensure we do not lose the air quality benefits that we have already achieved. Protection from toxic chemicals and environmentally sound emission levels will not be compromised.

Specifically, this legislation upholds the air quality benefits of the reformulated gasoline (RFG) program by maintaining the oxygenate standard. Adding oxygen to our gasoline has helped clean the air in many cities across the nation. With the use of ethanol, the Chicago RFG program, as I mentioned, has proven highly successful in improving the air quality in Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin.

I commend the Clinton Administration and Senators Tom Daschle (D-SD) and Richard Lugar (R-IN) for their efforts aimed at solving the problems associated with MTBE and opening a dialogue on renewable fuel content standards. However, I strongly feel we need to maintain our commitment to preserving the oxygenate standard, which has proven to be integral to achieving the goals of the Clean Air Act.

The Clean Air and Water Preservation Act of 2000 will preserve what is working in the Clean Air Act, protect our groundwater, and encourage ethanol use. It is good for our environment and public health and a boost for rural economies and I will work for its consideration as we seek to address the MTBE problem.

Mr. Chairman, thank you again for holding this hearing and for giving me the opportunity to speak this morning. I look forward to working with you to continue to promote and expand the use of ethanol in our nation's clean air strategy.