June 06, 2013

Manchin, Barrasso Bipartisan Bill Embraces Alternative Fuels

Bill would allow the U.S. military and Federal agencies to purchase transportation fuel produced from coal, oil shale and oil sands.

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and John Barrasso (R-WY) introduced the “The North American Alternative Fuels Act” (S. 1100). The bill would repeal section 526 of the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007 which prohibits the Federal government, including the U.S. military, from purchasing fuel produced from coal, oil shale and oil sands. 

“It makes no sense for the United States to give preference to Middle Eastern oil over fuel from American coal, oil shale, and oil sands,” said Senator Barrasso. “Our nation’s military should have access to any and all fuel sources it needs to support military readiness.  Repealing section 526 will increase cost effectiveness options for the government while increasing America’s energy security at the same time.”
“Achieving domestic energy independence and ending our reliance on foreign oil is vital to our national security,” Senator Manchin said. “This bill takes a large step in the right direction by allowing the federal government—including our military – to use alternative and synthetic fuels like coal-to-liquid. Relying on the nation’s 240-year coal supply, coal-to-liquid fuel can be delivered through existing pipelines and is readily useable today in existing markets, including in the military. It is just common sense for our all-of-the-above energy strategy to include fuels created from plentiful domestic supplies.”

In addition to Senators Barrasso and Manchin, “The North American Alternative Fuels Act” is co-sponsored by Senators Dan Coats (R-IN), Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), Mike Enzi (R-WY), James Inhofe (R-OK), and John Hoeven (R-ND).

Background

The North American Alternative Fuels Act would repeal section 526 of EISA. Section 526 prohibits federal agencies from contracting for alternative fuels unless the contract specifies that the alternative fuel emits less greenhouse gas than fuel produced from conventional petroleum sources. By its terms, section 526 prohibits Federal government, including the U.S. military, from purchasing transportation fuel produced from coal, oil shale, and oil sands.

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