Report Title:

Ethanol content requirement; Two percent

 

Description:

Changes the ethanol content requirement for gasoline sold in the state for use in motor vehicles from 10% to 2%.

 


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

186

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT


 

 

relating to gasoline.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that while ethanol, which is currently being used as an additive to gasoline to reduce pollution and displace petroleum, is a good cleaner and solvent when used at fairly high concentrations, it causes two problems: 

(1)  The ethanol in ethanol-blended gasoline absorbs moisture from the humidity in the air, causing the gasoline and ethanol to separate.  Once separated, neither parts are a suitable fuel and are not easily miscible without the proper equipment.

(2)  Ethanol reacts with rubber and fiberglass and would dissolve parts made of rubber or fiberglass upon prolonged contact. 

While the automobile industry discontinued use of rubber

for its seals and hoses, as the use of ethanol was

popularized, other industries, such as boat and lawnmower

manufacturers, continued to use rubber and fiberglass for

components of its fuel tanks and have only recently

switched to materials that are ethanol-safe.  Rubber and

fiberglass parts of older automobiles, boats, and

lawnmowers are now at risk of dissolving.  This problem is

exacerbated by the tendency of ethanol to absorb water and

separate into gasoline and ethanol.

     The legislature finds that the use of a high percentage of ethanol as an additive in gasoline will cause many problems for owners of older model automobiles, boats, and lawnmowers.  The legislature believes that using a lower ethanol content in gasoline will prevent these problems.

     The purpose of this Act is to reduce the percentage of ethanol content required in gasoline sold in the state for use in motor vehicles from ten per cent to two per cent.

     SECTION 2.  Section 486J-10, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsections (a) and (b) to read as follows:

     "(a)  The director shall adopt rules in accordance with chapter 91 to require that gasoline sold in the State for use in motor vehicles contain [ten] two per cent ethanol by volume.  The amounts of gasoline sold in the State containing [ten] two per cent ethanol shall be in accordance with rules as the director may deem appropriate.  The director may authorize the sale of gasoline that does not meet these requirements as provided in subsection (d).

     (b)  Gasoline blended with an ethanol-based product, such as ethyl tertiary butyl ether, shall be considered to be in conformance with this section if the quantity of ethanol used in the manufacture of the ethanol-based product represents [ten] two per cent, by volume, of the finished motor fuel."

     SECTION 3.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________