S. 1388 — Introduced in Senate

II 113th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1388 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 30, 2013 Mr. Levin (for himself, Mr. Durbin, Ms. Stabenow, and Mr. Brown) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions A BILL To require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Secretary of Energy, to conduct a study on the public health and environmental impacts of the production, transportation, storage, and use of petroleum coke, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Petroleum Coke Transparency and Public Health Study Act. 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) 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. 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 and the Secretary of Energy, shall transmit to Congress the results of a study concerning petroleum coke that shall include 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 with the solicitation of readily available information from appropriate State agencies, nonprofit entities, academic entities, and industry. 4. Consolidation of petroleum coke research Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall compile and publish on a publicly available website the results of the study conducted under section 3.