By Staff
WASHINGTON - Congressman Fred Upton (R – St. Joseph), a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, hailed Friday's House passage of H.R. 3893, the Gasoline for America's Security Act of 2005.
The oil refinery legislation is designed to fix the price spikes and dry gas pumps that drivers encountered nationwide after hurricanes shut down many Gulf Coast oil refineries. The measure passed the House by a vote of 212 to 210. The legislation includes Upton's amendment that will allow the President, in exercising fuel quality waiver authority in times of emergency, to take into account practical considerations for automobiled to ensure that in fuel formulas will not harm engines.The measure now moves to the Senate for consideration.
Upton's amendment states that a temporary waiver issued under this authority shall not permit an alteration of the properties of the fuel to the extent that the use of the fuel prevents the normal functioning of the equipment in which it is used. In particular, today's advanced diesel engines are relying on certain fuel quality being available and if it is not it could harm the vehicle.
Even slight changes in the fuel standards would raise performance and warranty issues, and Upton's amendment seeks to ensure that these standards are not impacted by this action and that the nation's cars and trucks will still be able to operate properly during the time of natural disaster.
Specifically, the Gasoline for America's Security Act:
Ends onerous restrictions on new refineries.
Limits the number of reformulated gasoline blends available, thus saving on production and distribution costs.
Encourages new pipelines.
Encourages conservation through promoting car and van pooling.
Prohibits price gouging in gasoline and diesel fuel sales.
Allows a city or region to apply for an extension of clean air requirements if local leaders can demonstrate downwind pollution from another area is to blame -this is of particular importance to Southwest Michigan