Session of 1999
Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 1611
By Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
2-15
9 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION encouraging the United States En-
10 vironmental Protection Agency to take certain actions relating to sulfur
11 levels in gasoline.
12
13 WHEREAS, The United States Environmental Protection Agency
14 (EPA) believes that reductions of sulfur in gasoline are necessary to max-
15 imize emissions reductions from cards and trucks; and
16 WHEREAS, EPA plans to propose very stringent gasoline sulfur reg-
17 ulations along with more stringent vehicle tailpipe emission standards
18 ("Tier 2"); and
19 WHEREAS, Some states have far greater air pollution problems than
20 others and require a greater reduction in sulfur while other states, es-
21 pecially those in the western part of the nation, have minimal air pollution
22 problems and require less of a reduction; and
23 WHEREAS, California gasoline was developed to address unique air
24 quality problems in California and the air quality problems in other states
25 are not as severe as those in California and do not necessitate the same
26 solutions; and
27 WHEREAS, Reducing sulfur in gasoline means higher manufacturing
28 costs that may be passed on to consumers which can limit their personal
29 mobility and freedom; and
30 WHEREAS, New investments in clean air are needed; however, con-
31 sumers should not have to pay more for gasoline than necessary to achieve
32 the goal of clean air; and
33 WHEREAS, Fuels and vehicles work together as a system and the
34 right combination of fuel and vehicle controls will result in cleaner air
35 and a cost-effective solution; and
36 WHEREAS, The American Petroleum Institute (API) and the Na-
37 tional Petrochemical Refiners Association (NPRA) have jointly proposed
38 a program for reducing gasoline sulfur levels that would have the effect
39 of reducing NOx emissions by more than 75,000 tons annually and would
40 cut gasoline sulfur levels at least in half: Now, therefore,
41 Be it resolved by the Senate of the State of Kansas, the House of Rep-
42 resentatives concurring therein: That the Legislature strongly encour-
43 ages the EPA to develop a proposal to reduce gasoline sulfur levels with
SCR 1611
2
1 the flexibility of a regional approach that maximizes air quality benefits
2 where they are needed most; and
3 Be it further resolved: That EPA's proposal should be cost-effective
4 so as to limit the burden on consumers; and
5 Be it further resolved: That EPA's approach to reducing vehicle emis-
6 sions should recognize that fuels and vehicles work in tandem and that
7 neither fuels nor vehicles can be addressed in isolation; EPA must strike
8 a balance in regulating both; and
9 Be it further resolved: That the Secretary of State be directed to send
10 enrolled copies of this resolution to the Administrator of the EPA and to
11 each member of the Kansas Congressional Delegation.