Resolve, To Study Motor Fuel and Fuel Additives and To Explore Alternatives to Ethanol Motor Fuel
Maine Legislature, Session 125, LD 0839
Committee: Environment and Natural Resources
Sponsors: O'CONNOR, MacDONALD, STEVENS, DUNPHY, GIFFORD, HARVELL, LIBBY, MALABY, PARRY, THOMAS

Legislative Document 
No. 839 
H.P. 636 
House of Representatives, March 3, 2011 
Resolve, To Study Motor Fuel and Fuel Additives and To Explore 
Alternatives to Ethanol Motor Fuel 
Reference to the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources suggested and ordered 
printed. 
HEATHER J.R. PRIEST 
Clerk 
Presented by Representative O'CONNOR of Berwick. 
Cosponsored by Representatives: MacDONALD of Boothbay, STEVENS of Bangor and 
Representatives: DUNPHY of Embden, GIFFORD of Lincoln, HARVELL of Farmington, 
LIBBY of Waterboro, MALABY of Hancock, McCLELLAN of Raymond, PARRY of 
Arundel, Senator: THOMAS of Somerset. 
Sec. 1.  Convene stakeholder group.  Resolved:  That the Commissioner of 
Environmental Protection, referred to in this resolve as "the commissioner," shall convene 
a stakeholder group to conduct a study regarding motor fuel and fuel additives, including 
but not limited to acetaldehyde in ethanol motor fuel.  The commissioner, the 
Commissioner of Transportation, the Commissioner of Economic and Community 
Development and the chair of the Public Utilities Commission, or their designees, shall 
serve as members of the stakeholder group, and the commissioner shall invite the 
participation of interested persons and groups, including but not limited to consumer 
protection groups, small businesses, motor vehicle dealers and owners of motor fuel 
refueling stations; and be it further 
Sec. 2.  Stakeholder group.  Resolved:  That, in conducting the study under 
section 1, the stakeholder group shall specifically: 
1.  Review the extent to which the State is in compliance with the federal Clean Air 
Act Amendments of 1990 with respect to the emissions of acetaldehyde produced by the 
combustion of ethanol motor fuel; 
2.  Examine whether an increase from 10% ethanol to 15% ethanol in gasoline blends 
will increase the level of acetaldehyde emissions and decrease the State's ability to 
comply with the federal Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990; 
3.  Conduct a comprehensive review of the statewide costs associated with 
acetaldehyde in ethanol motor fuel, including but not limited to the corrosive effects of 
acetaldehyde on small engines, the effects of acetaldehyde on marine resources in the 
State and the negative impact such effects have on business in the State; 
4.  Examine the impact of federal subsidies for corn used to produce ethanol on the 
cost of food locally and globally; 
5.  Compare the net energy value of corn-derived ethanol to that of ethanol derived 
from other products, such as other grains or algae; 
6.  Explore alternatives to ethanol motor fuel, including but not limited to biofuels 
developed from wood pulp; and 
7.  Develop a plan to reduce the supply of ethanol motor fuel in the State; and be it 
further 
Sec. 3.  Reporting date established; legislation.  Resolved:  That the 
commissioner shall report the stakeholder group's findings and recommendations, 
including proposed implementing legislation, regarding the study required by section 1 to 
the Joint Standing Committee on Environment and Natural Resources by December 1, 
2011.  The committee may report out a bill relating to those recommendations to the 
SUMMARY 
This resolve requires the Commissioner of Environmental Protection to convene a 
stakeholder group to conduct a study regarding motor fuel and fuel additives, including 
but not limited to acetaldehyde in ethanol motor fuel.  The stakeholder group is directed 
to study the State's compliance with the federal Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 with 
respect to emissions of acetaldehyde produced by the combustion of ethanol gasoline, and 
conduct a comprehensive review of the statewide costs associated with the acetaldehyde 
in ethanol motor fuel, including the corrosive effects of acetaldehyde on small engines, 
the effects of acetaldehyde on marine resources in the State and the negative impact such 
effects have on business in the State.  The comissioner shall report the stakeholder 
group's findings to the Joint Standing Committee on Environment and Natural Resources 
by December 1, 2011.  The committee may report out a bill to the Second Regular 
Session of the 125th Legislature.