Boutique Fuels

More Information on Boutique Fuels

On May 8, 2006, NPRA wrote Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman James Inhofe (R-OK) and advocated further understanding before legislative changes on boutique fuels are considered. To view NPRA's letter: Inhofe Letter

On May 10-11, 2006, the House Energy and Commerce Committee held a hearing on "Gasoline: Supply, Price, and Specifications;" NPRA testified and opposed reductions in the number of boutique fuels. To view NPRA's testimony and all other witnesses: http://energycommerce.house.gov/reparchives/108/Hearings/05102006hearing1869/hearing.htm http://energycommerce.house.gov/reparchives/108/Hearings/05112006hearing1901/hearing.htm

NPRA explained its position to the Governors' Task Force on Boutique Fuels on May 18, 2006. To view NPRA's comments and views of other stakeholders:
http://www.epa.gov/otaq/boutique-task-force.htm

NPRA testified at a House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing on boutique fuels on June 7, 2006. To view NPRA's testimony and all other witnesses:
http://energycommerce.house.gov/108/Hearings/06072006hearing1922/hearing.htm

GAO released a report in 2005, "Gasoline Markets: Special Gasoline Blends Reduce Emissions and Improve Air Quality, but Complicate Supply and Contribute to Higher Prices." GAO-05-421. To view this report:
http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d05241.pdf

Click here to view the NPRA summary of state and local gasoline and diesel fuel requirements.

Reference the testimony of Guy Caruso, Administrator of the Energy Information Administration, before the Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on July 15, 2004: "There is no easy supply solution. Reducing the number of fuels from our current slate may ease the distribution and storage strain on the system, but such changes may shift the problem back to production. Reducing the number of fuels generally means producing more clean fuels, which are harder and more expensive to produce. This could create supply problems at refineries (e.g., lower gasoline yields, more closures, more investment), while easing problems in distribution. It is possible that expanding pipeline and storage infrastructure to better handle the increased fuel types might ease the problem more effectively than reducing the number of fuels."

For EPA information:
http://www.epa.gov/otaq/boutique.htm
http://www.epa.gov/otaq/boutique-task-force.htm

To view an archive of EPA motor fuel waivers and enforcement discretion letters: EPA motor fuel waivers and enforcement discretion letters