A word that few people even knew just five years ago when the last farm bill was written is all over the Bush administration’s 2007 farm bill proposals released Wednesday. That word is “cellulosic.” As announced last week, the proposals include $1.6 billion in new funding for renewable energy research, development and production, targeted for cellulosic ethanol, which will support …
House Subcommittee Examines Alternative Fuels
The House Committee on Science and Technology Energy and Environment Subcommittee this week looked into the country’s readiness to meet the demands of alternative fuels. The subcommittee heard testimony relating to H.R. 547, the Advanced Fuels Infrastructure Research and Development Act, a bipartisan bill introduced by Committee Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN), pictured here on the floor of the House. According …
NBB Chief Likes Bush’s Speech
The head of the National Biodiesel Board liked what he heard from last week’s State of the Union speech. CEO Joe Jobe says he was pleased that alternative fuels… in particular, biodiesel… took such a prominent position in President Bush’s annual address to Congress. “Obviously, we were very excited to hear him lay out his 20 in 10 plan [reducing …
State Legislatures Across Country Taking Up Biodiesel
Interesting little thing I noticed over the weekend… a BUNCH of articles about a BUNCH of state legislatures taking up biodiesel measures. Last week, we told you about Missouri’s legislature taking up a biodiesel requirement. My news alerts have clued me in to similar measures in California, Arkansas, Washington state, and Wisconsin (just to cite a few). Of course, this …
Missouri Could Adopt Biodiesel Standard
On the heels of President Bush’s call for more alternative fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel, Missouri’s legislature is considering a five percent biodiesel standard at every gas station in the state. The State Senate Agriculture, Conservation, Parks and Natural Resources Committee has heard testimony on a bill that would require all diesel sold in Missouri to have at least …
Wisconsin Soybean Growers Seek Biodiesel Incentives
The Wisconsin Soybean Association is urging widespread support for their biodiesel policy initiative. The association is specifically asking the state legislature this year for help in four areas: 1. Expand the distribution network for biodiesel fuel throughout the state by instituting tax incentives for wholesale and retail distributors and bulk fuel users. 2. Encourage consumption of biodiesel fuel via incentives …
Michigan Alternative Fuel Incentives
Here’s a story that ought to rile up the people who can’t seem to understand the need to provide businesses in America with incentives to develop and use alternative fuels. These folks like to use the word subsidy as if it’s a bad word. I think incentive is a much better word and in the case of this story, it’s more accurate. This is from Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm’s website last Friday:
Energy Bill Roundtable
Our energy bill discussion this morning covered a lot of ground.
Biodiesel Bill
The Iowa Senate passed a bill this week to create a biodiesel tax credit for retailers, as well as include biodiesel in the 25 percent of petroleum displacement the state would require by 2020. The amended bill now moves back to the state House, which passed an earlier version by a vote of 92-7. National Biodiesel Board officials are hoping …
Ethanol Bill News
Ethanol bills were in the news in a couple of states today. In Arizona, the Senate passed a bill which classifies E85 as a motor fuel and permits it to be used in Maricopa County. Maricopa County’s poor air quality has led to restrictions on the motor fuels that can be sold. But the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality endorsed …