Phase Two Reformulated Gasoline Actions

 

Illinois Governor
George Ryan

 Efforts to address concerns regarding the use of ethanol in Phase Two of the federal reformulated gasoline program continue to gain momentum.  Elected officials from Illinois recently gathered at a press conference to announce their support for ethanol's continued participation in the program.  While the majority of the reformulated gasoline program is blended with MTBE, the Chicago and Milwaukee nonattainment areas enjoy successful ethanol-blended reformulated gasoline programs.  "Our position on this issue is simple.  Include ethanol in Phase Two of the reformulated gasoline program," stated Illinois Governor George Ryan. 

Members of the Illinois Congressional delegation voiced their support for maintaining a role for ethanol in the program.  "Last year, Congress extended the ethanol tax incentive and sent a clear message that the fuel plays a critical role in our country's clean air strategy.

The fight this year is to ensure ethanol's place in Phase Two of the reformulated gasoline program," said Senator Illinois Senator Dick Durbin.  Illinois Representative Ray LaHood added, "If EPA's Phase Two regulations are implemented as are currently written, the nation's top reformulated gasoline market could vanish."

 
Illinois Senetor Dick Durbin

The Congressional Alcohol Fuels Caucus recently sent a letter to President Clinton asking for his assistance to ensure ethanol's role in Phase Two reformulated gasoline.  The letter from Illinois Representative Lane Evans, Nebraska Representative Bill Barrett, Minnesota Representative David Minge and Iowa Representative Jim Nussle noted that the current regulatory framework of the reformulated gasoline program does not include a carbon monoxide standard nor does it account for high-emitting vehicles, which represent seven percent of the vehicle fleet but produce 50 percent of vehicle emissions.  "Accounting for all of ethanol's emissions benefits may make it easier for refiners to produce blendstocks for ethanol and ensure ethanol's continued participation in the reformulated gasoline program without sacrificing air quality and while protecting water quality," the members wrote.

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