Washington, DC —
Senator John Thune today introduced the Open Fuel Standard Act with Senators Sam Brownback (R-KS), Ken Salazar (D-CO), and Joseph Lieberman (I-CT).
The Open Fuel Standard Act requires that 50 percent of new automobiles be flex fuel by 2012 and that 80 percent of new automobiles be flex fuel by 2015. Flex fuels vehicles can operate on gasoline, ethanol, methanol, or biodiesel.
"We will never break OPEC's monopoly on our fuel supply without bold policies. The Open Fuel Standard Act is that policy," said Thune. "This bill will give consumers choice at the pump and will give all consumers the option of purchasing cheaper homegrown fuel such as ethanol and biodiesel. This bill will help break the stranglehold of petro-dictators on the American economy."
Over the past several years, Congress has enacted several policies that have expanded the production of renewable fuel. By 2022, renewable fuel will constitute approximately one-fourth of America's fuel supply. However, without more flex fuel vehicles, E-85 pumps, and ethanol dedicated pipelines, the full potential of renewable fuel is greatly limited.
This legislation complements other measures that Senator Thune has spearheaded over the past few years to help reduce our nation's dependence on foreign sources of energy.
The Open Fuel Standard Act requires that 50 percent of new automobiles be flex fuel by 2012 and that 80 percent of new automobiles be flex fuel by 2015. Flex fuels vehicles can operate on gasoline, ethanol, methanol, or biodiesel.
"We will never break OPEC's monopoly on our fuel supply without bold policies. The Open Fuel Standard Act is that policy," said Thune. "This bill will give consumers choice at the pump and will give all consumers the option of purchasing cheaper homegrown fuel such as ethanol and biodiesel. This bill will help break the stranglehold of petro-dictators on the American economy."
Over the past several years, Congress has enacted several policies that have expanded the production of renewable fuel. By 2022, renewable fuel will constitute approximately one-fourth of America's fuel supply. However, without more flex fuel vehicles, E-85 pumps, and ethanol dedicated pipelines, the full potential of renewable fuel is greatly limited.
This legislation complements other measures that Senator Thune has spearheaded over the past few years to help reduce our nation's dependence on foreign sources of energy.