Senator Blunt touts bill reducing 'Starbucks of the petroleum business,' or boutique fuels

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Jacob McCleland

U.S. Senator Roy Blunt was in Missouri on Thursday to promote legislation that would reduce the number of so-called "boutique" fuels.

Under the Clean Air Act, different cities use different blends of fuel. Blunt's bill reduces the number of boutique fuels and broadens the ability of the Environmental Protection Agency to give a waiver to a city to use whichever fuel they want in times of supply disruption.

At gas station in Cape Girardeau, the Republican Senator says before the Clean Air Act, the refineries were not the profit centers of the oil industry.

"After the Clean Air Act, they become like the Starbucks of the petroleum business because you're making this unique product for a unique buyer, and by the way, while you're doing that, you're slowing down the flow of every other product so you can make and deliver this unique kind of fuel," Blunt said.

Blunt says his legislation would give gasoline prices more stability at the pump.

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Jacob spearheads KRCU’s local news effort. His reporting has been heard on NPR’ Morning Edition and All Things Considered, PRI’s The World, and Harvest Public Media. In addition to reporting, Jacob directs KRCU’s team of student reporters and producers.
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