Reps. Green, Ryan Call on Feds to Waive Reformulated Gas Mandates in Wisconsin

Reps. Green, Ryan call on feds to waive reformulated gas mandates in Wisconsin

With gas prices reaching record levels around the state, reps say Wisconsin motorists should have access to the cheapest gasoline possible

WASHINGTON - With gas prices topping the $3 mark in several parts of the state, U.S. Reps. Mark Green (R-Green Bay) and Paul Ryan (R-Janesville) wrote a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Wednesday asking for an immediate waiver of reformulated gas requirements in Wisconsin - a move they said would allow Wisconsin motorists to use cheaper, conventional gasoline rather than the more expensive specialized seasonal blends.

"Gas prices are spiraling out of control, and thousands of Wisconsin drivers are being left in the dust," Green said. "If steps aren't taken now to stabilize prices at the pump it's going to be a long, long summer. The EPA has the power to provide immediate relief to Wisconsinites by waiving our reformulated gas requirements and giving folks access to the cheapest gas possible."

"Soaring gas prices are hitting drivers and businesses hard across the nation, but Wisconsinites bear an even heavier burden because of the unique blend of reformulated gas certain areas are required to use during the summer months. A waiver makes sense to help address this layer of the gas price problem. The bottom line is: boutique fuels translate to higher gas prices and this must be fixed," Ryan said.

Since arriving in Congress, Green and Ryan have taken many steps to combat high gas prices, including:

* Voting to require the Federal Trade Commission to investigate price gouging by oil companies - a provision that was included in comprehensive energy legislation signed into law last year;

* Voting to create harsh new federal penalties for parties that engage in price gouging - a provision that was included in the "GAS Act," legislation that passed the House but is now stalled in the Senate. Both Green and Ryan called on the Senate to pass the "GAS Act" as soon as possible;

* Writing legislation that passed into law last year as part of the energy bill that stops boutique fuels from multiplying and provides the EPA with limited authority to issue temporary waivers during supply emergencies;

* Repeatedly introducing legislation to reduce the number of boutique fuel blends produced in the United States . The proliferation of boutique fuels has played a major role in limiting refining capacity, making it more difficult to increase the supply of gasoline when it's needed most;

* Working to reduce our dependence on foreign oil by supporting proposals that would open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) to limited oil and gas exploration; and

* Repeatedly fighting efforts by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to reduce world oil supplies by limiting their production - actions which have helped lead to gas price spikes in the United States .

http://www.house.gov/ryan/press_releases/2006pressreleases/42606rfmandategwaiver.htm