Bill Summary
This bill, known as the "Petroleum Coke Transparency and Public Health Protection Act," aims to address the growing production, transportation, storage, and use of petroleum coke in the United States and its potential impact on public health and the environment. It requires a study to be conducted within 180 days of its enactment, by the Secretary of Health and Human Services in consultation with other government agencies, to analyze the impacts and assess best practices for managing petroleum coke. The study must use the best available science and will be made publicly available. The bill also requires the Environmental Protection Agency, in consultation with the Secretary of Transportation, to implement rules within one year that ensure the protection of public and ecological health based on the findings of the study.
Possible Impacts
1) The study required by this bill could lead to increased regulations and restrictions on the production, transportation and storage of petroleum coke, potentially impacting the profits and operations of companies in the petroleum industry.
2) Communities near production facilities or transportation routes of petroleum coke could be affected by the findings of the study and potential regulations, as their health and environmental well-being may be at risk due to the presence of this material.
3) The publication of the study on a government website could make information about the potential dangers of petroleum coke more accessible to the general public, potentially leading to increased awareness and activism on the issue.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1675 Introduced in House (IH)]
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116th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1675
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.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 11, 2019
Ms. Tlaib (for herself and Ms. Kelly of Illinois) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and
Commerce
_______________________________________________________________________
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.
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 Services 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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