Lugar Daschle Introduce Renewable Fuels Bill

May 5, 2000

Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Richard Lugar (R-IN) and Democratic Party Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD) have introduced a bill designed to increase the use of renewable fuels, decrease U.S. dependence on foreign oil and provide "new opportunities" for rural areas. The bill would reduce the use of MTBE and establish requirements for the use of renewable fuels.

"It is clear MTBE is on its way out," said Lugar. "This legislation will help to facilitate its departure in a way that considers both environmental and energy security issues. A national renewable energy standard will increase our use of renewable fuels, help stabilize gas prices by decreasing our dependence on foreign oil and maintain our high air quality standards."

The bill would reduce the use of MTBE and establish nationwide requirements for the use of renewable fuels. States could opt out of the current reformulated gasoline (RFG) oxygen requirement designed to reduce air pollution as long as the current clean air benefits of the program were not reduced.

In addition, the bill would phase out over 10 years a nationwide renewable standard – from 1.3% in 2000 to 3.3% by 2010 – to replace the RFG oxygen requirement.