I 
113TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 875 
To provide for a comprehensive assessment of the scientific and technical 
research on the implications of the use of mid-level ethanol blends, 
and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
FEBRUARY 27, 2013 
Mr. SENSENBRENNER (for himself, Mr. HALL, Mr. WESTMORELAND, Mr. 
BROUN of Georgia, Mr. SMITH of Texas, and Mr. GRIFFIN of Arkansas) 
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on 
Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on En-
ergy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the 
Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within 
the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To provide for a comprehensive assessment of the scientific 
and technical research on the implications of the use 
of mid-level ethanol blends, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
(1) ADMINISTRATOR.—The term ‘‘Adminis-
trator’’ means the Administrator of the Environ-
mental Protection Agency. 
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(2) MID-LEVEL ETHANOL BLEND.—The term 
‘‘mid-level ethanol blend’’ means an ethanol-gasoline 
blend containing greater than 10 and up to and in-
cluding 20 percent ethanol by volume that is in-
tended to be used in any conventional gasoline-pow-
ered motor vehicle or nonroad vehicle or engine. 
SEC. 2. EVALUATION. 
(a) 
IN
GENERAL.—The 
Administrator, 
acting 
through the Assistant Administrator of the Office of Re-
search and Development at the Environmental Protection 
Agency, shall— 
(1) not later than 45 days after the date of en-
actment of this Act, enter into an agreement with 
the National Academy of Sciences to provide, within 
18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, 
a comprehensive assessment of the scientific and 
technical research on the implications of the use of 
mid-level ethanol blends, comparing mid-level eth-
anol blends to gasoline blends containing 10 percent 
or zero percent ethanol; and 
(2) not later than 30 days after receiving the 
results of the assessment under paragraph (1), sub-
mit a report to the Committee on Science, Space, 
and Technology of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Environment and Public Works of 
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upon by the Administrator and published at 75 Fed. 
Reg. 68094 et seq. (November 4, 2010), 76 Fed. 
Reg. 4662 et seq. (January 26, 2011), and 76 Fed. 
Reg. 44406 et seq. (July 25, 2011), and identify 
gaps in understanding and research needs related 
to— 
(A) tailpipe emissions; 
(B) evaporative emissions; 
(C) engine and fuel system durability; 
(D) onboard diagnostics; 
(E) emissions inventory and other mod-
eling effects; 
(F) materials compatibility; 
(G) operability and drivability; 
(H) fuel efficiency; 
(I) fuel economy; 
(J) consumer education and satisfaction; 
(K) cost-effectiveness for the consumer; 
(L) catalyst durability; and 
(M) durability of storage tanks, piping, 
and dispensers for retail. 
(2) An identification of areas of research, devel-
opment, and testing necessary to— 
(A) ensure that existing motor fuel infra-
structure is not adversely impacted by mid-level 
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ethanol blends, including an examination of po-
tential impacts of mid-level ethanol blends on 
metal, plastic, rubber, or any other materials 
used in pipes or storage tanks; and 
(B) reduce the risk of misfueling by users 
at various points in the distribution and supply 
chain, including at bulk storage, retail storage, 
and distribution configurations by— 
(i) assessing the best methods and 
practices to prevent misfueling; 
(ii) examining misfueling mitigation 
strategies for blender pumps, including vol-
umetric purchase requirements and label-
ing requirements; 
(iii) assessing the adequacy of and 
ability for misfueling mitigation plans ap-
proved by the Environmental Protection 
Agency; and 
(iv) examining the technical standards 
and recommendations of the National In-
stitute of Standards and Technology, the 
American National Standards Institute, 
and the International Organization for 
Standardization regarding fuel pump label-
ing. 
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SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
In order to carry out this Act, the Administrator shall 
utilize up to $900,000 from the funds made available for 
science and technology, including research and develop-
ment activities, at the Environmental Protection Agency. 
Æ 
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