Alternative Fuel Groups Oppose Exempting States From Federal RFG
Clean Air Act compliance costs had little to do with
the rise of gasoline prices this year, alternative fuel groups say in a letter
opposing legislation to exempt some states from the federal reformulated
gasoline requirements proposed by a representative who contends the requirements
increased California refiners' costs.
In the Sept. 11 letter to the House
Commerce Committee, the Renewable Fuels Association, the Oxygenated Fuels
Association and the American Methanol Institute say that the bill would "have no
impact on gasoline prices, is not needed to provide refiners with the
flexibility to effectively meet clean air regulations, creates unnecessary
implementation and enforcement problems, and could undermine the air quality
benefits of the reformulated gasoline program."
The Renewable Fuels
Association reported that the practical effect of the bill introduced by Rep.
Brian Bilbray (R-Calif.) is to exempt California reformulated gasoline from
oxygenate requirements in federal reformulated gasoline. Bilbray, however,
maintains that the conflicting requirements are a burden to California refiners
and increases fuel costs with little environmental benefit.
