Minnesota Passes 20% Biodiesel Mandate

John Davis

The Minnesota Legislature has passed the largest biodiesel mandate in the country, sending the bill to Governor Tim Pawlenty for his signature. SF 3683 is an omnibus agricluture bill authored by Sen. Jim Vickerman, DFL-Tracy (pictured left) that uses language from original legislation introduced by Rep. Al Juhnke, DFL-Willmar, (pictured right). It moves the biodiesel standard up to 5 percent …

Biodiesel, Legislation

Renewable Energy Bill Passes Florida Legislature

John Davis

A comprehensive energy bill has passed the Florida legislature, and now goes to the governor for an expected signature. This story from the Orlando (FL) Sun-Sentinel says the measure has provisions specifically addressing renewable energy in the state: The bill, which addresses Gov. Charlie Crist’s call for policies that combat global warming, is made up of 112 sections that could …

Biodiesel, Ethanol, Government, Legislation, News, Solar, Wind

SC Bills Fostering Renewable Energy

John Davis

A trio of bills before the South Carolina legislature are designed to promote renewable energy in the state, as well as conservation by consumers. Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell’s (R-Charleston) three bills were presented to a state Senate Finance Committee this week. This story from television station WFMY says the first bill dealt with tax breaks for making home …

Biodiesel, Ethanol, Government, Legislation, News, Solar, Wind

Missouri Senate Approves Biodiesel Mandate

John Davis

A requirement that all diesel sold in Missouri contain at least 5 percent biodiesel has passed the State Senate. Radio station KWMU (St. Louis) reports the measure, set to go into effect in 2010 if it becomes law, passed by a wide 20-11 margin: The bill’s sponsor, State Senator Bill Stouffer (R, Napton), says B-5 will cause less pollution and …

Biodiesel, Government, Legislation

Missouri-Kansas Becoming Green Rivals

John Davis

When you live in this part of the country, you KNOW how big of rivals Kansas and Missouri are. This hatred goes all the way back to before the Civil War! I’ve even known people who would actually spit after they spoke the other state’s name. Officials at MU and KU have tried to tone down the rhetoric by calling …

Biodiesel, Ethanol, Flex Fuel Vehicles, Government, Legislation, News

Minnesota Looks to Increase Biodiesel Mandate

John Davis

Hoping to mimic the success its ethanol mandate has brought to that industry in Minnesota, the state is looking at bumping up its 2 percent biodiesel mandate. This story from Minnesota Public Radio says a bill before the state legislature would increase that requirement by 10-fold: “What this does is actually give a signal to industry that they should move …

Biodiesel, Government, Legislation

SD Gov Signs Biodiesel Tax Incentive

John Davis

South Dakota consumers choosing to fill up with biodiesel will great a break on their gas bill. This story in the Rapid City (SD) Journal says Gov. Mike Rounds has signed into law a measure that will give a 2-cent per gallon tax break for every gallon of diesel sold with 5 percent biodiesel: “As diesel costs continue to skyrocket, …

Biodiesel, Government, Legislation

Missouri Biodiesel Standard Moves Forward

John Davis

The Missouri State Senate has passed a biodiesel standard that would require all diesel sold in the state to contain at least 5 percent biodiesel. This story in the St. Louis Post Dispatch says if it passes the Missouri House and gains the governor’s signature (which he has indicated he will sign it), it will be the highest biodiesel requirement …

Biodiesel, Government, Legislation

PA Biodiesel Producers Barely Hanging On

John Davis

Biodiesel producers in Pennsylvania are in a tough spot these days, and unless the state steps in to help them, their industry could go bust by the end of the month. This story in the Central Penn Business Journal says lawmakers are still sparring over subsidies that could help make the industry competitive again: There are two proposals that would …

Biodiesel, Government, Legislation

Challenge to Argentine Export Tax System

John Davis

The American Soybean Association (ASA) is filing a World Trade Organization challenge to Argentina’s export tax system… a system the ASA says turns out to be an unfair subsidy for Argentine biodiesel exports. This story posted on Agriculture Online has details: The Argentine export tax system favors biodiesel with lower export taxes for the fuel than for exports of raw …

Biodiesel, International, Legislation