George Voinovich: “I respectfully disagree with some of the information that was provided to us by the distinguished Senator from…”

“I respectfully disagree with some of the information that was provided to us by the distinguished Senator from California. First, I would like to say this second-degree amendment would create more balkanization of the fuel supply. We need a national fuel policy. This amendment, in my opinion, would further constrain the fuel supply in this country. The bipartisan agreement that was negotiated last year between various organizations was not done behind closed doors. It was relatively transparent. In spite of some of the comments made about the environmental threat of ethanol, that agreement was supported by the American Lung Association. I am sure if they had any concern that this was going to harm the environment, they certainly would not have signed on to the agreement that was entered into last year. The fuels agreement passed by the Senate last year includes the establishment of a renewable fuels standard. The RFS would provide for greater refinery flexibility in the fuels marketplace and the existing clean air oxygenate requirement, particularly as MTBE is phased out of gasoline.”