Senate Passes Portman-Shaheen Legislation to Promote Oil Recycling, Greater Energy Efficiency

Statement

U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) applauded Senate passage of their legislation yesterday aimed at saving energy and protecting the environment by promoting the re-refining of used oil and other lubricants. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to work with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to update their 2006 study of the energy and environmental benefits of recycling used oil and develop specific policy options to increase the use of used oil to produce lubricants. The bill will now head to the president's desk for signature.

"I am pleased that the Senate has passed this legislation, and that it is now headed to the President's desk for his signature," said Senator Portman. "This legislation will help protect our environment by identifying the barriers to recovering used oil, which can otherwise be improperly disposed of and contaminate our land and water. The re-refining process is also more energy efficient than creating lubricants from crude oil, so it helps reduce emissions. Finally, the bill will help grow the domestic re-refining industry, so that we are not dependent upon foreign sources for high quality oil. I am pleased to have worked with Senator Shaheen on this legislation to protect our environment and create jobs, and I look forward to working on more common-sense energy efficiency initiatives like this one."

"Improving the sustainability of our energy resources is a win-win for both the economy and the environment," said Shaheen. "Recycling used oil holds great potential for saving energy and reducing harmful pollution and needs to be supported at the federal level. This legislation is an important first step towards this goal and I'm very proud to work with Senator Portman again on a common sense proposal that will help make good use of our energy resources."

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