Bill Text: MI HR0038 | 2017-2018 | 99th Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: A resolution to memorialize the Congress of the United States to repeal the standards set forth by the United States Environmental Protection Agency on portable fuel container design.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2017-05-04 - Adopted [HR0038 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2017-HR0038-Enrolled.html
Reps. Roberts and Kelly offered the following resolution:
House Resolution No. 38.
A resolution to memorialize the Congress of the United States to repeal the standards set forth by the United States Environmental Protection Agency on portable fuel container design.
Whereas, The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) adopted rules to limit emissions from portable fuel containers, such as gas cans, in 2007. The standard was meant to force design changes in fuel containers to reduce evaporation, permeation, and spillage and was part of a larger package on reducing toxic air emissions from mobile sources like passenger vehicles. Since 2009, all containers manufactured now need to be designed to meet these standards; and
Whereas, Portable fuel containers are responsible for a relatively small portion of toxic air emissions from mobile sources. In 1999, these containers accounted for only 2 percent of these emissions. The EPA projects that the new portable fuel container standard will account for 6 percent of the reduction in toxic air emissions under the 2007 rule. Passenger vehicles and gasoline regulations will account for 94 percent of projected reductions; and
Whereas, Gas cans and other portable fuel containers designed to meet the new standard do not work effectively and are a continual source of frustration for consumers. To meet the standard, containers are being designed without a vent, resulting in slow, uneven flow out of the cans; and
Whereas, The portable fuel container emissions standard is not an effective way to limit toxic air emissions. Containers that work improperly may result in more spills as users are paying more attention to getting gas out of the container than how much gas is in the tank. Frustrated users may resort to modifying the container to create a vent, eliminating any environmental benefit from the design, or using other containers illegally; and
Whereas, The portable fuel container standards are yet another example of the EPA adopting regulations without properly accounting for real life use and impact. These regulations provide minimal environmental gain and make something as simple as filling a lawn mower tank an exercise in frustration; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we memorialize the Congress of the United States to repeal the standards set forth by the United States Environmental Protection Agency on portable fuel container design; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.
