Amendment ASA1-AJR58

LRBs0088/1

RCT:jlg:kjf

1999 - 2000 LEGISLATURE

ASSEMBLY SUBSTITUTE AMENDMENT 1, TO 1999 ASSEMBLY JOINT RESOLUTION 58

June 1, 1999 - Offered by Representative Bock.

AJR58-ASA1,1,2 Relating to: requesting Congress to prohibit the use of methyl tertiary butyl ether as an oxygenate additive in reformulated gasoline.

AJR58-ASA1,1,5 Whereas, the federal Clean Air Act amendments of 1990 require the use of reformulated gasoline with oxygen additives in areas of the United States that have substantial ozone pollution; and

AJR58-ASA1,1,8 Whereas, the state of California will phase out the use of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) over the next 3 years in response to concerns from environmental groups and oil refineries relating to water contamination; and

AJR58-ASA1,1,12 Whereas, under the federal amendments, 6 ozone nonattainment counties in Wisconsin (Milwaukee, Kenosha, Racine, Waukesha, Ozaukee and Washington counties) were required to implement use of reformulated gasoline as of January 1, 1995; and

AJR58-ASA1,2,3 Whereas, industry studies indicated that reformulated gasoline reduces the rate at which pollutants evaporate into the air, producing 15% to 17% less pollution than nonreformulated gasoline; and

AJR58-ASA1,2,6 Whereas, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rules require reformulated gasoline to contain lower levels of benzene and other aromatic hydrocarbons than conventional gasoline; and

AJR58-ASA1,2,10 Whereas, the use of reformulated gasoline in conjunction with modern automotive technology has resulted in significant reductions in emissions of benzene and volatile organic compounds and minor reductions in emissions of nitrogen oxides; and

AJR58-ASA1,2,13 Whereas, a recent report from the National Research Council questioned the effectiveness of oxygenates in reducing ozone and reaffirmed the role reformulated gasoline plays in reducing the emissions that cause smog; and

AJR58-ASA1,2,16 Whereas, discontinuation of reformulated gasoline in the 6 nonattainment counties would complicate state efforts to reduce ozone pollution and would likely force industrial sources to reduce emissions; and

AJR58-ASA1,2,18 Whereas, Wisconsin has a proud tradition of sound environmental policies and is committed to a clean environment and a strong economy; now, therefore, be it

AJR58-ASA1,2,22 Resolved by the assembly, the senate concurring, That the members of the Wisconsin legislature recognize that air quality standards and improvements to vehicles over the last few decades have helped reduce emissions that create near-ground ozone; and, be it further

AJR58-ASA1,2,25 Resolved, That the members of the Wisconsin legislature recognize that the use of clean burning fuels will reduce ground level ozone concentrations in the 6 nonattainment counties; and, be it further

AJR58-ASA1,3,3 Resolved, That the members of the Wisconsin legislature request the Congress of the United States to prohibit the use of MTBE as an oxygenate additive in reformulated gasoline; and, be it further

AJR58-ASA1,3,7 Resolved, That the members of the Wisconsin legislature request the Congress of the United States to conduct a thorough review of the recent National Research Council report and current EPA rules relating to reformulated gasoline; and, be it further

AJR58-ASA1,3,10 Resolved, That the members of the Wisconsin legislature request the Congress of the United States and the EPA to recommend improvements to make reformulated gasoline safer and cleaner; and, be it further

AJR58-ASA1,3,14 Resolved, That the assembly chief clerk shall provide copies of this joint resolution to the president of the U.S. senate and the speaker of the U.S. house of representatives and to each of the members of the congressional delegation from Wisconsin.

AJR58-ASA1,3,15 (End)