Thomas Mott Osborne: “I would like to discuss our current energy problem. It has taken more than 20 years to develop; and obviously, there is…”

“I would like to discuss our current energy problem. It has taken more than 20 years to develop; and obviously, there is no quick solution. But I guess the good news is that we have a plan, where before we had none. It provides for the conservation of energy, exploration and development of new energy sources; and it presents a plan for alternative fuels. I would like to just briefly mention the Gasoline Access and Stability Act, which has recently been introduced and I think can be part of the solution. This has been sponsored by the House leadership and the entire Nebraska delegation has signed on. This act reduces 45 blends of gasoline to 3. Currently, our refineries have to shut down totally when a new blend is introduced, and they have to clear their pipes. This is very time consuming and expensive. This bill would require 2 percent oxygenated fuel in the summer and 2.7 percent oxygenated fuel in the winter. The benefits would reduce green house gas emissions by 25 to 30 percent, save motorists up to 12 cents per gallon of gasoline, protect consumers from price spikes, and certainly reduce our independence on foreign oil.”