1.9.2009
WASHINGTON – Southwest Missouri Congressman Roy Blunt today reintroduced legislation, the Boutique Fuel Reduction Act of 2009, to lower gas prices by simplifying our nation’s increasingly complex gasoline supply.
“Options are usually a good thing, but when it comes to our nation’s fuel supply options only drive up the cost at the pump,” Blunt said. “Current mandates require special blends of gas from state to state or city to city. This complicates the supply chain and often causes unexpected price hikes if that boutique blend is in short supply.”
The current gasoline supply stock used by U.S. motorists includes “boutique,” or specially formulated fuels, which are required by law in certain communities. When supplies are limited, prices tend to rise quickly, substantially, and sometimes with very little prior notice.
Blunt offered similar legislation in the 109th Congress and sections were included in the Energy Policy Act of 2005. The bill introduced by Blunt today will build on that progress by allowing a reduction in the number of specialty fuels and allowing communities more regulatory flexibility in times of temporary shortage.
The legislation attracted the support of 20 original co-sponsors upon its introduction. It will now be sent to the House Energy and Commerce Committee, where Blunt serves, for further consideration.
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