Washington, DC -- Congressman Eliot Engel (D-NY-17) was joined by Republican colleagues Rep. John Shimkus (R-IL-19) and Rep. Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD-6) Thursday to promote the Open Fuel Standard Act (HR 1687).  The lawmakers were joined by former National Security Advisor Robert MacFarlane, Gregory Dolan from the Methanol Institute and Bob Dinneen of the Renewable Fuels Association.  Rep. Steve Israel (D-NY) is also an original co-sponsor of the legislation.

Last week, President Barack Obama issued a Presidential Memorandum on Federal Fleet Performance, which would require all new light duty vehicles in the federal fleet to be alternate fuel vehicles, such as hybrid, electric, natural gas, or biofuel, by December 31, 2015.

The Open Fuel Standard Act (H.R. 1687), co-sponsored by Rep. Engel, and introduced with Republican sponsor Rep. Shimkus (R-Ill.), would require 50 percent of new automobiles in 2014, 80 percent in 2016, and 95 percent in 2017, to be warranted to operate on nonpetroleum fuels in addition to or instead of petroleum based fuels.  Compliance possibilities include the full array of existing technologies – including flex fuel, natural gas, hydrogen, biodiesel, plug-in electric drive, and fuel cell – and a catch-all for new technologies.  This requirement will then provide certainty to investors to produce alternative fuels and fueling stations to have a variety of pumps supplying those alternative fuels.

In addition, Rep. Engel introduced an amendment to the Homeland Security FY 2012 Appropriations bill to prohibit DHS funds from being used to lease or purchase new light duty vehicles except in accord with the President’s May 24, Memorandum.  This amendment was adopted with bipartisan support.  He plans on introducing the same amendment to all appropriation bills, addressing each department’s fleet, and urges bipartisan support for these amendments.  Rep. Engel is a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.  To view the floor debate - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvyrp4ZBcVc

“For several years, I have championed bipartisan legislation to apply an Open Fuel Standard to all vehicles sold in America – not just those in the federal fleet.  I believe achieving energy independence for our nation is of the utmost importance.  Dependence on foreign oil is one of the greatest challenges that our nation has ever faced -- our national security and our economy depends on breaking free of it.  We are reliant upon too many foreign governments, many of whom are far from friendly, for our oil supply.  Domestic drilling is not the magic solution.  Only through technology changes in our transportation sector will we make a substantial impact on our oil dependence.

“Our transportation sector is by far the biggest reason we send $600 billion per year to hostile nations to pay for oil at ever-increasing costs.  We can take control of our own energy future by taking steps today.  America can benefit from these emerging industries and the jobs that come with them.  By employing the Open Fuel Standard, we can create competition for petroleum on the open market with other types of fuel.  We don’t have to wait for the perfect technology.  We can turn this around right now, at little to no cost, and create a safer and more prosperous America.”

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