Durbin Announces Frist E-85 Pump on Capitol Hill

DURBIN ANNOUNCES FIRST E-85 PUMP ON CAPITOL HILL

Tuesday, June 27, 2006

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin today announced that the Senate Appropriations Committee has approved a provision which directs the Architect of the Capitol to install the first ethanol (E-85) fuel pump on the Capitol complex. The provision also requires existing legislative branch flex fuel vehicles to use the E-85 pump and all future legislative branch vehicles to be E-85 compatible and use E-85 fuel. Durbin serves as the ranking member of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Subcommittee.

"By installing the first ethanol fuel pump on the Capitol complex we, as legislators, are taking part in the movement to expand our nation's use of renewable fuels," said Durbin. "Renewable fuels provide us with a dependable domestic source of energy that reduces our reliance on foreign oil and enhances our ability to control our own security and economic future - while helping farmers by increasing demand for their crops. The installation of this E-85 pump will hopefully encourage automakers to increase their production of flex fuel vehicles and gas stations across the country to construct new E-85 pumps."

There are currently over 500 vehicles under the jurisdiction of the Legislative Branch. Several existing legislative branch vehicles are already flex fuel cars, including 17 owned by Capitol Police and13 owned by the Senate Sergeant at Arms, including the Chevrolet Suburban provided to the Democratic Whip's Office.

"Expanding the production and use of ethanol requires the commitment of the government, public officials and private industry," said RFA President Bob Dinneen. "By requiring installation of E-85 pumps near the Capitol, Congress is underscoring its focus on developing a robust domestic renewable fuels industry. Likewise, America's automakers and increasingly more of its independent gasoline retailers are offering more ethanol and those vehicles capable of running on E-85."

"The National Corn Growers Association applauds the leadership of Senator Durbin in advancing the nation's ethanol industry by growing markets for renewable fuels," said Jon Doggett, National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) vice president of public policy. "E-85 is rapidly becoming an important part of the nation's fuel supply. The Senate is leading by example by including provisions in the FY07 Legislative Branch Appropriations bill that requires future vehicles purchased by the legislative branch be E85-capable and also requires the Architect of the Capitol to install an E-85 fuel pump on the Capitol Complex for government vehicles."

Durbin has worked with representatives from the Renewable Fuels Association, National Farmers Union, American Farm Bureau Federation, American Soybean Association and the National Corn Growers Association to secure the installation of the new E-85 pump. House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD) has included similar language in the House Legislative Branch Appropriations bill.

http://durbin.senate.gov/record.cfm?id=257873&&