The Chelsea Standard
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Walberg supports bill to simplify gasoline supply
PUBLISHED: May 29, 2008
U.S. Congressman Tim Walberg, R-District 7, announced last week that he is co-sponsoring the Boutique Fuel Reduction Act (H.R. 2493), which will simplify the nation's gasoline supply and limit the number of costly, regional "boutique fuels."
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Summer blends are currently being instituted nationwide and are causing rising seasonal prices on top of the already high prices for crude oil. Limiting the number of boutique fuels will reduce price spikes.
The current gasoline supply stock used by U.S. motorists includes "boutique," or specially formulated fuels, which are required by law in different regions and different seasons. When supplies are limited, prices tend to rise quickly, substantially and sometimes with little prior notice. Walberg says H.R. 2493 would reduce the number of "boutique fuels" which would benefit consumers by preventing specialty blends from driving up gasoline prices and allow different regions to access a national fuel supply.
"We need to do all we can to bring down the price at the pump, and this bill is a component which will bring gasoline to the market quicker, at a lower cost and with less confusion," Walberg said. "Along with limiting fuel blends, Congress needs to allow more environmentally sound exploration of oil and natural gas in Alaska, the Outer-Continental Shelf and the Gulf of Mexico and streamline the process to build new refineries."
Walberg strongly supports the No More Excuses Energy Act, H.R. 3089, a bill crucial to lowering electric bills and the price at the pump. It would encourage the construction of new refineries, boost alternative energy development by extending the Wind Production Tax Credit for 10 years, increase American oil production by allowing environmentally sound drilling in Alaska, the Outer-Continental Shelf and the Gulf of Mexico and help increase our supply of electricity by encouraging the construction of new nuclear power plants.
Congressman Walberg also co-sponsored legislation to provide incentives for solar, wind, cellulosic ethanol, bio-diesel and energy conservation. He also supports an increase in domestic energy production through carbon-free nuclear power and clean-coal technology and has co-sponsored legislation that would encourage conservation with incentives for green buildings and legislation that would spark a revolution in clean hydrogen technology.
Brater fights phosphorus
Sen. Liz Brater's (D-Ann Arbor) bill to protect Michigan water by reducing phosphorus in dishwashing detergents was passed by the House Committee on Great Lakes and Environment last week. Senate Bill 152 now moves to the full House of Representatives for a vote, where bipartisan approval is expected.
The Senate voted unanimously to pass the bill in April 2007."Limiting the use of phosphorus in dishwashing detergent is an easy and effective way to prevent phosphorus pollution in Michigan's waterways," Brater said. "When we began to control phosphorus levels in laundry detergents, we saw phosphorus pollution reduced more than 70 percent in many of our southern Michigan rivers. It's time to apply those same controls to dishwashing detergents if we want to protect our water resources."
Brater's legislation would require dishwashing liquids sold in Michigan to contain no more than 0.5 percent of phosphorus by weight, which is the same limitation placed on laundry detergents in 1977. Most dishwashing detergents contain 6 to 8 percent phosphorus. In accordance with the bill, detergent manufacturers would have to reduce the phosphorus content of their products by July 1, 2010.
Phosphorus acts as a fertilizer when it reaches lakes, rivers, and streams. It can cause algae blooms, reduce oxygen to plants and animals, and ultimately accelerate the death of fish and other organisms that live in the water. Phosphorus is estimated to be responsible for up to 10 percent of algae in Michigan waters, and nearly destroyed Lake Erie in the 1960's and 1970's.
Stabenow succeeds
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, D-Michigan, announced last week the Senate passage of the Supplemental Appropriations bill, which includes a provision based on language authored by Stabenow. The provision extends federal unemployment insurance by 13 weeks in all states, and an additional 13 weeks in states such as Michigan that are experiencing high unemployment.
The full bill will go back to the House of Representatives for consideration.
"Michigan has the highest unemployment rate in the country," Stabenow said. "Middle-class families in Michigan and across the country are struggling to put food on the table when there's an unexpected job loss. The extension of unemployment insurance not only provides support when they need it most, it is one of the fastest, most effective ways to stimulate our economy."
Economists throughout our country estimate that for every $1 spent on unemployment benefits, the economy is stimulated by $1.64 - or every dollar invested yields a 64 percent return for the economy. Thus, extending unemployment insurance to struggling, middle-class families will lead to a quick consumption of basic needs such as housing, food, gas, and health care.
Dillon recall update
The Michigan Department of State made available to House Speaker Andy Dillon, D-Redford Township, the results of its preliminary findings of the recall petition filed against him.
The petitioners filed 15,739 signatures with the Bureau of Elections on May 1. While 8,724 signatures are needed to put the recall question on the Aug. 5 primary ballot, only 8,224 were found to be valid and those of registered voters under the Bureau of Elections' review.
"Verifying the registration of every signer is a meticulous and time-consuming process," Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land said. "However, it's a necessary step to ensure the integrity of our elections. I appreciate the hard work of our Bureau of Elections team and the support of local election officials during this review."
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