The House Committee on Science and Technology completed consideration of H.R. 547, the Advanced Fuels Infrastructure Research and Development Act. In a full Committee mark-up session, the bill and a commemorative resolution both passed unanimously.
“When I took the reins of this Committee I made a promise that this would be a committee of ‘good ideas’ and ‘consensus.’ We are here to solve problems,” said Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN). “I want H.R. 547 to serve as an example of how we can identify problems big and small, and leverage the resources and expertise of the Committee to develop creative ways to bridge technological gaps through research and development.”
This bipartisan bill introduced by Chairman Gordon initiates a research, development and demonstration program to make biofuels more compatible with present-day infrastructure. H.R. 547 also directs these agencies to develop technologies and methods to provide low-cost, portable and accurate measurements of sulfur in fuels, and to develop a physical properties database and Standards Reference Materials for biofuels.
“It is clear that fueling our country solely on conventional fuels threatens our economic well-being and environmental health. The public wants and deserves clean and reliable fuel choices,” added Chairman Gordon. “But if our country is serious about reducing our dependence on foreign oil, we need to get serious about mobilizing the infrastructure necessary to distribute and dispense alternative fuels. H.R. 547 will help accomplish these goals using sound science and new technologies.”
Ranking Member Ralph Hall (R-TX) said, “We can have all the biofuels to supply every car in our nation, but if the infrastructure is not in place to move the fuels to where they are needed, then it doesn’t help us. Further, if the government is going to mandate that retailers sell Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel fuel, then there should be an affordable means to ensure that the fuel being sold fits those requirements. H.R. 547 is a good bill that moves our nation one step closer to reaching energy independence.”
In the legislative hearing on the bill yesterday, the Committee heard from three experts in the field who agreed that work to address and solve outstanding challenges with biofuels must happen now. H.R. 547 has been endorsed by the Society of Independent Gasoline Marketers Association, National Association of Convenient Stores, Renewable Fuels Association, Petroleum Marketers Association of America, NATSO (representing travel plaza and truckstop owners and operators) and the Coalition of E85 Retailers, among others.
“I hope this bill also illustrates that solving problems does not require years of wrangling over major omnibus legislation that in the end fails to meet everyone’s expectations,” continued Gordon. “Here we took a good idea, turned it into a good bill, and with the support of our Members we passed it out of Committee today and sent it to the floor for quick consideration.”
By consensus, the Committee incorporated changes to the bill during today’s mark-up session including making the EPA Office of Research and Development the lead agency conducting the R&D and adding a funding authorization.
In the 109th Congress, similar legislation was introduced to help facilitate the marketing of alternative fuels to consumers. In 2006, the bill’s provisions were approved by the Science Committee as an amendment to H.R. 5656, the Energy Research, Development, Demonstration, and Commercial Application Act of 2006 and passed by the full House of Representatives (as H.R. 6203).
H.R. 547 is expected to be before the full House within the next two weeks.
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