SENATE BILL REPORT

                                   HJM 4004

         AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ENERGY & UTILITIES, APRIL 4, 1991

Brief Description:  Requesting Congress to increase ethanol content in motor fuel.

SPONSORS:Representatives Nealey, Grant, Beck, Valle, May, Ludwig, Betrozoff, Rayburn, Chandler, Prince, McLean, Hochstatter, Rasmussen, Silver, Vance, D. Sommers, Jacobsen, R. King, Bowman, Fuhrman, Paris, Horn, Moyer and Broback.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY & UTILITIES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY & UTILITIES

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Thorsness, Chairman; Saling, Vice Chairman; Jesernig, Roach, Sutherland, and Williams. 

Staff:  Phil Moeller (786‑7445)

Hearing Dates:March 29, 1991; April 3, 1991; April 4, 1991

BACKGROUND:

Gasohol, a blend of gasoline and ethanol, reduces reliance on imported oil and increases the market for domestically grown crops, the feedstock for ethanol production.

Increased gasohol use can both improve national balance of payments and improve the nation's farm economy.

SUMMARY:

Congress is urged to enact legislation to require that the amount of ethanol in all motor vehicle fuel sold in the country by wholesale distributors be increased to 5 percent by 1993.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

TESTIMONY FOR:

Increasing ethanol content will help reduce our dependence on foreign oil.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:

Motor fuel containing alcohol can permanently damage certain engines such as those in motorboats and chain saws.

TESTIFIED:  Representative Darwin Nealey, prime sponsor (pro); Michael A. Gallion, Whidbey City Saw and Cycle (con)