By Kevin Lavery, KWMU
St. Louis – Illinois Republican Congressman John Shimkus says the House is poised to pass a provision that would significantly increase the nation's oil refining capacity.
The bill that cleared a House committee on Thursday encourages the building of more refineries across the country.
It also reduces the number of government-regulated clean-burning fuels from 20 to six.
Representative Shimkus rebuffs the notion that more refineries may lead to more pollution.
"The last refinery was built in 1976," Shimkus said. "Don't you assume that if we build new refineries today that it would be more efficient and cleaner? Of course it would be."
Opponents like the Sierra Club say the bill suspends provisions in the Clean Air Act that protect the health of children and those with respiratory ailments.
The bill is expected to go to the House floor by next Friday.