CONTACT:
MARC MORANO (Inhofe) 202-224-5762    marc_morano@epw.senate.gov
MATT DEMPSEY (Inhofe) 202-224-9797     matthew_dempsey@epw.senate.gov
CHRIS PAULITZ (Voinovich) 202-224-6296 chris_paulitz@voinovich.senate.gov

WASHINGTON, DC – Senator James Inhofe (R-Okla.), Ranking Member of the Environment & Public Works Committee and Senator George Voinovich (R-OH), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Clean Air and Nuclear Safety, today sent EPW chairman Barbara Boxer (D-CA) a letter urging her to exercise the EPW Committee’s oversight of the EPA’s renewable fuels program. The letter also asks Chairman Boxer to convene a legislative business meeting to consider related legislation as soon as possible. 

"As you know, the Committee on Environment and Public Works has exclusive jurisdiction over the existing Renewable Fuels Program and primary jurisdiction over biofuels legislation in general," Senators Inhofe and Voinovich wrote in the May 1 letter to Chairman Boxer.

 

"Further, the Committee has a strong history of considering fuels legislation, whether related to water quality issues or more recently concerning the relationship between air quality and energy security, in a bipartisan manner. We hope that tradition continues under your leadership."

 

Senator Inhofe introduced a draft of President Bush’s alternative fuels legislation (S.1158) on April 19 and the bill was appropriately referred to the EPW Committee.

Full text of today’s letter:

 

May 1, 2007

 

Dear Chairman Boxer:

 

We write to urge you to exercise your oversight of the EPA's renewable fuels program, and especially to convene a legislative business meeting to consider related legislation as soon as possible.

 

As you know, the Committee on Environment and Public Works has exclusive jurisdiction over the existing Renewable Fuels Program and primary jurisdiction over biofuels legislation in general. Further, the Committee has a strong history of considering fuels legislation, whether related to water quality issues or more recently concerning the relationship between air quality and energy security, in a bipartisan manner. We hope that tradition continues under your leadership.

 

On April 19, 2007, Sen. Inhofe introduced a draft of the President's alternative fuels legislation (S. 1158). In his introductory statement, Sen. Inhofe commented that he has questions concerning the particulars of the President's plan, but shares the common goal of increasing energy security without compromising environmental quality. Given that the bill was properly referred to the Environment Committee, S. 1158 would serve as an appropriate vehicle for legislative action.

 

We look forward to working together on this topic of critical national interest.

 

Sincerely,

 

George V. Voinovich, Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Clean Air and Nuclear Safety         

                     

James M. Inhofe, Ranking Member, Committee on Environment and Public Works

 

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