A Republican Kansas Senator joined a Democrat and Independent colleague in an effort to give driver more flexibility at the pump.

Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kansas, alond with Sen. Ken Salazar, D-Colorado, and Sen. Joseph Lieberman, I-Connecticut, introduced the Open Fuel Standard Act Tuesday.

The goal of the legislation is to reduce America's dependence on foreign oil. It requires that by 2012, 50% of new automobiles, and starting in 2015, 80% of new automobiles, be flex-fuel vehicles warranted to operate on gasoline, ethanol, and methanol, or be warranted to operate on biodiesel. The alternative fuels can be made from a variety of sources, including switchgrass and other energy crops, coal, agricultural bi-products, corn, soybeans, natural gas and other materials.

Brownback and the co-sponsors say making a flex-fuel vehicle costs the manufacturer about one hundred dollars per vehicle.

“In Kansas, and across the nation, people are concerned about the rising price of gasoline,” Brownback said in a statement. “This legislation will reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil and will increase consumers’ options when it comes to fuel.”