CHAPTER 186 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION No. 1611 A Concurrent Resolution encouraging the United States Environmental Protection
Agency to take certain actions relating to sulfur levels in gasoline.       WHEREAS,  The United States Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) believes that reductions of sulfur in gasoline are necessary to max-
imize emissions reductions from cars and trucks; and

      WHEREAS,  EPA plans to propose very stringent gasoline sulfur reg-
ulations along with more stringent vehicle tailpipe emission standards
(``Tier 2''); and

      WHEREAS,  Some states have far greater air pollution problems than
others and require a greater reduction in sulfur while other states, es-
pecially those in the western part of the nation, have minimal air pollution
problems and require less of a reduction; and

      WHEREAS,  California gasoline was developed to address unique air
quality problems in California and the air quality problems in other states
are not as severe as those in California and do not necessitate the same
solutions; and

      WHEREAS,  Reducing sulfur in gasoline means higher manufacturing
costs that may be passed on to consumers which can limit their personal
mobility and freedom; and

      WHEREAS,  New investments in clean air are needed; however, con-
sumers should not have to pay more for gasoline than necessary to achieve
the goal of clean air; and

      WHEREAS,  Fuels and vehicles work together as a system and the
right combination of fuel and vehicle controls will result in cleaner air
and a cost-effective solution; and

      WHEREAS,  The American Petroleum Institute (API) and the Na-
tional Petrochemical Refiners Association (NPRA) have jointly proposed
a program for reducing gasoline sulfur levels that would have the effect
of reducing NOx emissions by more than 75,000 tons annually and would
cut gasoline sulfur levels at least in half: Now, therefore,

      Be it resolved by the Senate of the State of Kansas, the House of Rep-
resentatives concurring therein: That, if the EPA adopts a proposal to
reduce gasoline sulfur levels, the Legislature strongly encourages the EPA
to develop a proposal with the flexibility of a regional approach that max-
imizes air quality benefits where they are needed most; and

      Be it further resolved: That EPA's proposal should be cost-effective
so as to limit the burden on consumers; and

      Be it further resolved: That EPA's approach to reducing vehicle emis-
sions should recognize that fuels and vehicles work in tandem and that
neither fuels nor vehicles can be addressed in isolation; EPA must strike
a balance in regulating both; and

      Be it further resolved: That the Secretary of State be directed to send
enrolled copies of this resolution to the Administrator of the EPA and to
each member of the Kansas Congressional Delegation.

 Adopted by the House April 1, 1999.
Adopted by the Senate
February 25, 1999.
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