Volume 161, No. 109 covering the 1st Session of the 114th Congress (2015 - 2016) was published by the Congressional Record.
The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS” mentioning the Environmental Protection Agency was published in the Senate section on pages S5063 on July 14, 2015.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
By Mr. DURBIN (for himself and Mr. Peters):
S. 1763. A bill to require a study on the public health and environmental impacts of the production, transportation, storage, and use of petroleum coke, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows:
S. 1763
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Petroleum Coke Transparency and Public Health Protection Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) In the past several years, United States crude oil refineries have grown their coking capacity to accommodate the conversion of heavy crude oils into refined petroleum products.
(2) As coking capacity has grown, the domestic production of petroleum coke is expected to grow, leading to increases in the storage, transportation, and use of the material.
(3) In Detroit, piles of petroleum coke have been stored in the open air on the banks of the Detroit River.
(4) Uncovered piles of petroleum coke have also been stored in Southeast Chicago near homes and local baseball fields.
(5) State regulators, communities, and industry stakeholders would benefit from a complete understanding of petroleum coke and the potential impact on public health and the environment related to the production, transportation, storage, and use of petroleum coke.
SEC. 3. STUDY OF PETROLEUM COKE PUBLIC HEALTH AND
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS.
(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Secretary of Transportation, and the Secretary of Energy, shall submit to Congress a report containing the results of a study concerning petroleum coke that includes the following:
(1) An analysis of the public health and environmental impacts of the production, transportation, storage, and use of petroleum coke.
(2) An assessment of potential approaches and best practices for storing, transporting, and managing petroleum coke.
(3) A quantitative analysis of current and projected domestic petroleum coke production and utilization locations.
(b) Best Available Science.--The study under subsection (a) shall be carried out using the best available science, including readily available information from appropriate State agencies, nonprofit entities, academic entities, and industry.
(c) Publication of Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall publish on the Internet website of the Department of Health and Human Service the report described in subsection (a).
SEC. 4. IMPLEMENTATION OF STANDARDS.
Not later than one year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, in consultation with the Secretary of Transportation, shall promulgate rules concerning the storage and transportation of petroleum coke that ensure the protection of public and ecological health based upon the findings of the study conducted under section 3.
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