The Alliance for a Safe Alternative Fuels Environment (AllSAFE) has voiced strong support for the US House Energy and Commerce Committee amendment to the energy bill that would create an open, public process to review the impacts of any new renewable fuels on the environment, and on consumers and their products.

Speaking yesterday (28th June) Bill Guerry, the AllSAFE spokesman said; “Becoming better informed on a major national policy decision affecting the energy future of our country is important. It would be an ironic tragedy that if in trying to promote ethanol in the short term, Congress harms the long term success of all bio-fuels by causing unintended harm to consumers and their products.”

The adopted amendment requires US EPA to undertake a public notice and comment process and approve or deny new renewable fuels and fuel additives within an expedited time-frame. This bi-partisan amendment, co-sponsored by Rep. John B. Shadegg (R-AZ) and Rep. Charlie Melancon (D-LA), ensures that the introduction of new renewable fuels and additives into the national fuel supply will be done safely and with a full understanding of their impacts on all types of vehicles and equipment, including recreational boats, chainsaws, motorcycles, ATVs, lawnmowers, snowmobiles and motor vehicles.  

“Good government can only be achieved by allowing stakeholder input into a transparent public process, rather than by making important national decisions on new fuels in the dark of the night,” concluded Guerry.

AllSAFE acknowledges broad based support for this amendment from Rep. John D. Dingell (D-MI), the Chair of the Energy and Commerce Committee; Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX), the Ranking Member of the Energy and Commerce Committee; the American Lung Association (ALA); Clean Air Watch; and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).

The passage of this amendment by the House Energy and Commerce Committee represents a major victory for the environment, consumers and for the long term market for ethanol.  Surprisingly, a similar amendment was blocked during the full Senate floor vote last Thursday.