Ira Wexler/NATSO
Last week Senators John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Roy Blunt (R-MO) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) introduced the “Domestic Fuels Act of 2012,” S. 2264, aimed at providing a legal and regulatory pathway for retailers to sell fuels approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), including E-15. The legislation would give the EPA Administrator the authority to issue guidelines to determine whether new and existing underground storage tanks and dispensing equipment are compatible with EPA-approved fuels. Representatives John Shimkus (R-Ill.) and Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) introduced the House version, H.R. 4345, on Friday.
NATSO joined a group of petroleum retailers last week in expressing support for the bill, calling the measure a critical step in removing the technical barriers complicating efforts to bring new fuels to market.
In a letter to Senators Hoeven, Blunt, Klobuchar, and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), NATSO said the Domestic Fuels Act will save retailers from needlessly investing hundreds of thousands of dollars to replace equipment that does not need to be replaced; protect innocent parties from certain liabilities associated with misfueling when consumers are informed about what fuels are approved for certain engines; and establish that an entity who complies with today's laws and regulations can not be held retroactively liable. A similar letter also was sent to Congressmen Shimkus, Peterson, Mike Ross (D-Ark.) and John Sullivan (R-Olka.).
NATSO was joined in the letter by the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers; American Petroleum Institute; Growth Energy; National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS); OPEI; Petroleum Marketers Association of American (PMAA); Renewable Fuels Association and SIGMA.
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This article originally ran in NATSO News Weekly (NNW). NNW, NATSO's electronic newsletter, is packed with the latest updates on government and business issues affecting the truckstop and travel plaza industry. Every Monday it is emailed to NATSO members. If you aren't reading NNW, you are missing out. If you are a member and not receiving NNW, submit a request to be added to the email list. Not a member? Join today or submit a request to receive additional information. |
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