Rogers Signs House Petition to Remove Costly Fuel Blend Mandates and Lower Gas Prices

Press Release

As gasoline prices continue to hover over $4.00 per gallon, Congressman Harold "Hal" Rogers (KY-05) urged Speaker Nancy Pelosi to immediately bring legislation before the House of Representatives that would eliminate costly environmental fuel blend requirements which needlessly increase gas prices. Rogers joined like-minded Members of Congress seeking gas price relief and signed a discharge petition to bring up H.R. 2493, the Boutique Fuel Reduction Act.

"Reducing gas prices will require a multi-prong strategy, but doing nothing surely isn't the answer. Speaker Pelosi continues to hold hostage any meaningful legislation to help American families get much-needed relief," stated Rogers. "With the height of summer fast approaching, and families hoping to take vacations before the new school year begins, Congress needs to act now. Passing H.R. 2493 would remove outdated and onerous government mandates which place an undue burden on southern and eastern Kentuckians."

Certain states and communities have more stringent air quality mandates, requiring specially formulated fuels to meet these high environmental standards. These unique fuels present serious challenges to the fuel distribution system, and may have the potential to result in local supply shortages. When supply becomes scarce, prices rise quickly and intensify consumers' pain at the pump. By simplifying the U.S. fuel mix, the Boutique Fuel Reduction Act would make more fuel available to communities and help reduce gas prices.

With a simple majority of signatories, a discharge petition requires a legislative measure to be considered by the full House of Representatives under the rules. In recent weeks, Rogers has signed a number of petitions calling for Speaker Pelosi to bring federal legislation which reduces gas prices to the floor for debate. These measures include lifting the 28-year ban on new oil and gas leases along the outer continental shelf, opening up 2000 acres of the arctic region of Alaska to drilling, ending the ban on federal procurement of alternative fuels, immediately permitting three new oil refineries, and encouraging the production of coal-to-liquid transportation fuel.

Rogers will continue to press Speaker Pelosi to bring forward legislative measures to reduce the price of gasoline for the American public and urge the President to work with Congress to increase the production of American energy.

Source