I 
114TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 21 
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 
JANUARY 6, 2015 
Mr. SENSENBRENNER introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the 
Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently de-
termined 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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(E) emissions inventory and other mod-
eling effects; 
(F) materials compatibility; 
(G) operability and drivability; 
(H) fuel efficiency; 
(I) fuel economy; 
(J) knock resistance 
(K) consumer education and satisfaction; 
(L) cost-effectiveness for the consumer; 
(M) catalyst durability; and 
(N) 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 
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— 
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(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) soliciting and considering rec-
ommendations of the National Institute of 
Standards and Technology, the American 
National Standards Institute, the Inter-
national Organization for Standardization, 
and the National Conference on Weights 
and Measures regarding fuel pump label-
ing. 
(c) WAIVERS.—Prior to the submission of the report 
under subsection (a)(2), any waiver granted under section 
211(f)(4) of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7545 (f)(4)) 
before the date of enactment of this Act that allows the 
introduction into commerce of mid-level ethanol blends for 
use in motor vehicles shall have no force or effect. The 
Administrator shall grant no new waivers under such sec-
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tion 211(f)(4) until after the submission of the report de-
scribed under subsection (a)(2). 
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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