(WHOTV.com) ... At the Iowa Biotech Association’s Partnering for Growth event on April 1st, Director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority Debi Durham was a keynote speaker. She talked about using Iowa’s ethanol and biodiesel production, and incentivizing, “bolt on” facilities to
Legislation-State
Back TO HOMEThe Unrecognized Value of Bio-Energy
by Chad Smith (Midwest Producer) "We threw a whole bunch of stuff up on the wall to see if anything sticks." Dave VanderGriend quoted a Kansas state legislator describing House Bill (HB) 2401, a proposal to add a 4.5-cent per gallon
April 03, 2015 Read Full Article
Industry, Water Advocates Come Together on Bioenergy Bills
by Frank Jossi (Midwest Energy News) Environmentalists and bioeconomy advocates reached an agreement last week to modify a bill moving through the Minnesota legislature that they hope will create a new clean energy and green chemical industry in Minnesota. The BioEconomy
March 31, 2015 Read Full Article
Gov. Brown Removes Sunset Date from Oregon Clean Fuels Standard
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) Oregon Gov. Kate Brown has signed S.B. 324 into law. The bill removes the Dec. 31, 2015 sunset date from the state’s Clean Fuels Program. By signing S.B. 324, Brown has allowed the program to
March 13, 2015 Read Full Article
Good Policy Should Float All Bio-Boats
by Amanda Bilek (Biomass Magazine/Great Plains Institute) Exciting biobased industry developments are occurring across the U.S. Although there are challenges, there are also opportunities at the state and local level. Minnesota is one state with many of the essential ingredients
March 09, 2015 Read Full Article
Oregon House Sends Fuels Bill to Governor
(Associated Press/Union-Bulletin) The Oregon House voted Wednesday to send Gov. Kate Brown a climate-change bill that’s likely to increase gas prices, handing the Democrat a thorny decision as she settles into office. Brown has spoken favorably of extending Oregon’s low-carbon fuel
March 06, 2015 Read Full Article
Iowa Road Funding Bill Passes with Reduced Tax Rate for B11
(The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association/Biodiesel Magazine) The Iowa Legislature created a 3-cent per gallon differential tax rate for B11 and higher biodiesel blends in the road funding legislation passed Feb. 24. This provision is expected to boost the availability and sales
March 04, 2015 Read Full Article
New Wyoming Law Extends Fuels Tax to Alternative Highway Fuels, Including Natural Gas, E85, Biodiesel
(Associated Press) Gov. Matt Mead has signed into law a bill that extends the state fuels tax to include alternative highway fuels, including natural gas, pure ethanol, E85 and biodiesel. The new law, which Mead signed on Wednesday, will take effect in
February 27, 2015 Read Full Article
Farmers Look to Legislature for Expansion Paths
by Don Davis (Daily Globe) Minnesota farmers want state leaders to help them expand to new markets. They are ready to enter a new era of producing crops that can be made into products ranging from rope to ink, but
February 20, 2015 Read Full Article
4 Things You Should Know about Oregon's Low-Carbon Fuel Standard
by Ian K. Kullgren (The Oregonian/OregonLive) ... The law aims to position Oregon as a leader in the effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by setting an increasingly cleaner standard for gasoline distributors over the next decade. ... 1) The low-carbon fuel standard
February 18, 2015 Read Full Article
Oregon Senate Approves Clean-Fuels Extension Despite Tie to Cylvia Hayes
by Ian K. Kullgren (The Oregonian/OregonLive) The Senate approved a bill Tuesday to extend the state's clean-fuel standard, bucking Republican opponents who decried the program's connection to the scandal involving John Kitzhaber and his fiancée, Cylvia Hayes. In a display of political
February 18, 2015 Read Full Article
Oregon Proposes Elimination of Ethanol Requirement in Gasoline
(SEMA Action Network) Legislation (H.B. 2373) to remove the requirement that all gasoline offered for sale in the state contain a percentage of ethanol was introduced in the Oregon House of Representatives. Currently, the state requires that “a retail dealer,
February 18, 2015 Read Full Article
US, California Double Down on Climate Change, Energy Security via New Initiatives
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Obama unveils Clean Energy Investment Initiative; California lawmakers introduce a trio of bills aimed at 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. In Washington, the Obama Administration launched its Clean Energy Investment Initiative, with a
February 12, 2015 Read Full Article
Oregon Helps Spark National Surge in Biodiesel Production
by Wendy Culverwell (Portland Business Journal) Clean fuel policies in Oregon, Washington and California are helping drive the advanced biofuel industry. In its fourth annual report on the state of the advanced biofuel industry, Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2) reports the U.S. capacity
January 07, 2015 Read Full Article
Five Myths about Gas Taxes
by Paul Bledsoe (The Washington Post) A dramatic 40 percent drop in oil prices since June has prompted new discussion aboutraising the long-static federal gasoline tax and has many states considering gas tax hikes as well. At the federal level, Congress
December 22, 2014 Read Full Article
Battle Resumes over Clean Fuels Program
by Steve Law (Portland Tribune) Another showdown looms in Salem between Big Oil and environmentalists, but this time environmentalists appear to have the upper hand. Heavy lobbying last year by the Western States Petroleum Association helped stall the state’s Clean Fuels
December 19, 2014 Read Full Article
Perea Bill Would Delay California Cap-and-Trade for Gas
by Jeremy B. White (Sacramento Bee) Democratic fissures over California's cap-and-trade mandates deepened on Thursday, with a key moderate Democrat introducing a bill to push back a looming rule expected to cause a spike in prices at the pump. Assembly Bill 69
July 21, 2014 Read Full Article
Proposed Constitutional Amendment in Ohio Would Benefit Biomass
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) ... On July 7, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine certified a petition for the proposed Clean Energy Initiative amendment. According to Josh Pulliam, a consultant for Yes for Ohio’s’ Energy Future, the political action committee that
July 18, 2014 Read Full Article
Oil Industry Kills California Assembly Bill to Support Biofuel Expansion
by Peter Waldman (Bloomberg BusinessWeek) The oil industry did some intellectual gymnastics last week over California’s low-carbon fuel standard, a 2007 mandate that gasoline refiners reduce the carbon intensity of their transportation fuels 10 percent by 2020. After arguing for
June 12, 2014 Read Full Article
ACE Informs Motorists that Many Vehicles Are Eligible to Use E15
(American Coalition for Ethanol/Ethanol Producer Magazine) The summer driving season is now hitting the United States, and the Senior Vice President for the American Coalition for Ethanol, Ron Lamberty, says many motorists might not realize it, but they could be
June 02, 2014 Read Full Article
Minnesota Is First to Mandate B10 Biodiesel
by John Davis (DomesticFuel.com) The land of 10,000 lakes becomes the first for another 10… a 10 percent biodiesel mandate. The move from a B5 to B10 blending requirement for summer months starting this July 1st was welcomed by the
May 23, 2014 Read Full Article
E15 Arrives in Missouri, though Consumers May Have to Look Hard to Find It
by Jacob Barker (St. LouisPost-Dispatch) It’s hard to find a gas station these days that doesn’t sell a 10 percent ethanol blend. A 15 percent mix, now that it’s available, probably won’t become as common anytime soon. New rules that take
May 23, 2014 Read Full Article
Utah Law Encourages Biodiesel Use
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) While H.R. 5 signed by Gov. Herbert encourages biodiesel use in Utah, exactly how the state plans to do so is less than clear ... The bill expresses support for the continued development and implementation of
May 14, 2014 Read Full Article
Industry Representatives Defend Corn Ethanol at State Hearing
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Pending legislation in New Hampshire aims to limit corn ethanol in gasoline to 10 percent. The bill passed the New Hampshire House of Representatives on March 25 and was introduced in the state Senate
May 12, 2014 Read Full Article
DC Mayor Prohibits Fuel Efficient Consumer Choices
(Diesel Technology Forum) If District of Columbia Mayor Vincent Gray had his druthers there would be no diesel powered cars in the District. ... The problem with the proposal is that the Mayor seems to ignore the fuel savings and emissions
April 30, 2014 Read Full Article
Hawaii Lawmakers Give Unanimous Approval To Studying Hemp
by Johnny Green (The Weed Blog/The Joint Blog) Hawaii’s House Committee on Agriculture, and the state’s House Judiciary Committee, have both voted unanimously in favor of Senate Bill 2175, a proposal to establish a two-year research program to study the effectiveness of using hemp
April 03, 2014 Read Full Article
Minnesota Bills to Incentivize Biofuel, Biochemicals, Biomass Thermal
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Legislation pending in the Minnesota Legislature aims to create incentives for renewable chemicals, advanced biofuels, and biomass thermal energy. In the Minnesota House of Representatives, H.F. 2456 aims to create a capital equipment loan program
March 17, 2014 Read Full Article
Ethanol Rule Set to Take Effect
(Associated Press/Columbia Daily Tribune) Expansion driven by ruling change. Missouri motorists could be able to buy a higher blend of ethanol gasoline as early as this summer because of a new policy pushed by Gov. Jay Nixon over the unsuccessful objections
March 05, 2014 Read Full Article
Legislative Committee Supports Biodiesel as Clean Air Tool
by Amy Joi O'Donoghue (Deseret News) A company in the northern reaches of Box Elder County is churning out 10 million gallons of biodiesel fuel each year, crafting the product from the used vegetable oil generated by restaurants, schools or jails. The biodiesel
March 04, 2014 Read Full Article
State May Issue $50M in Bonds for Biofuel Effort
by Tom Callis (Stephens Media Hawaii/West Hawaii Today) Hawaii could issue up to $50 million in special purpose revenue bonds to support a company’s plans to turn agricultural waste into biofuel and animal feed. Since 2011, the Pacific Basin Agricultural
March 04, 2014 Read Full Article
Solving the Midwest Ethanol Problem: The E85 Angle
by Robert Rapier (Biofuels Digest/Energy Trends Insider) ... Today, nine years after I began writing about energy, we have an ethanol industry that has undergone rapid growth, but it is an industry that still relies heavily on the hand of government
February 20, 2014 Read Full Article
Jolt! Bioeconomy Coalition of Minnesota aims to boost Chems and Advanced Biofuels Industries with New Policy Initiatives
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Minnesota, the Bioeconomy Coalition of Minnesota, who announced their 2014 Minnesota legislative agenda today at the Minnesota Green Chemistry Conference, is proposing the creation of a new production incentive program for renewable chemicals and
January 20, 2014 Read Full Article
IL Sen. Todd Sieben “Retired To” Working for Ethanol
by Joanna Schroeder (DomesticFuel.com) (Todd) Sieben (Chairman Central Bank and retired state senator) is currently working with the Illinois General Assembly on passing legislation that would incentivize the use of E15 in Illinois. He explained that for many years there has
December 20, 2013 Read Full Article
Lewinsky’s Dress Syndrome and the EPA Biofuels Debacle
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) So, the EPA hands down cruel cutbacks in renewable fuel targets as the Administration reels under Obamacare pressure. What happened to biofuels, why is “everyone’s friend” biodiesel getting the shaft, what’s next? And what is
November 25, 2013 Read Full Article
And the 2013 Environmental Turkey Goes to …The American Legislative Exchange Council, better known as ALEC.
by Bill Chameides (Duke University The Green Grok) OK, folks, Thanksgiving approaches. For most of you it’s the beginning of the holiday season — family, parties, and presents. For us at TheGreenGrok it means it’s time for selecting the biggest turkey
November 25, 2013 Read Full Article
Riley, McKeon & Giblin Bill to Promote Use of Bio-Based Heating Oil Released by Assembly Panel
(AssemblyDems.com) Legislation Assembly Democrats Celeste Riley, John McKeon and Thomas Giblin sponsored to promote more use of bio-based heating oil was released Monday by an Assembly panel. The Bio-based Heating Oil Act (A-3161) requires that all heating oil sold for residential,
November 21, 2013 Read Full Article
Missouri Lawmakers Block Rule Allowing E15 Gasoline
by David A. Lieb (Associated Press/News-Leader) ... The decision by a legislative panel halts a proposed rule change by the Missouri Department of Agriculture that would have allowed stations to sell fuel containing 15 percent ethanol. Lawmakers said the proposal goes
October 10, 2013 Read Full Article
Biofuels Center Deserves a Better Fate
by G.K. Butterfield (The Herald Sun) Without intervention or significant investment from non-profit organizations or the private sector, the Biofuels Center of North Carolina in Oxford is due to close for good on October 1, 2013. This is a travesty
September 26, 2013 Read Full Article
California Resolution Calls for Federal Reform of RFS
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The California legislature recently passed Assembly Joint Resolution 21, which urges federal lawmakers and the U.S. EPA to reform the renewable fuels standard (RFS), transitioning away from first-generation biofuels. The measure was introduced by
September 23, 2013 Read Full Article
The Right to Blend
by Joanna Schroeder (DomesticFuel.com) Iowa Governor Terry Branstad signed into law last week legislation that preserves an Iowa petroleum marketer’s right to blend with Iowa manufactured ethanol and biodiesel. This, according to Dawn Carlson, president of the Petroleum Marketers and Convenience
July 30, 2013 Read Full Article
Funding Axed, N.C. Biofuels Center to Close
by Chris Bagley (Triangle Business Journal) The N.C. Biofuels Center will shut down “within weeks,” a spokesman said Tuesday morning as lawmakers moved to vote on a state budget that cuts off its $2 million in annual state funding. The center, near
July 24, 2013 Read Full Article
Rhode Island Passes Statewide Bioheat Requirement
(National Biodiesel Board) State's oil heat to contain 2 percent biodiesel by 2014 The governor of Rhode Island signed landmark legislation recently that will ensure all of the state's heating oil becomes Bioheat® by 2014. Starting July 1, 2014, every gallon of oil
July 23, 2013 Read Full Article
Oregon Senate Rejects 'Clean Fuels' Bill, a Top Priority for Environmental Lobby
by Yuxing Zheng (The Oregonian) The Senate on Saturday rejected a "clean fuels" bill that was the environmental lobby's top priority to combat global warming. ... Senate Bill 488 would lift a 2015 sunset date for Oregon's "clean fuel" program, which
July 08, 2013 Read Full Article
July 1st – Independence Day for Iowa Fuel Retailers
by Joanna Schroeder (DomesticFuel.com) July 1, 2013 has now become “Independence Day” for Iowa fuel retailers as today marks the enactment of a new Iowa law that frees Iowa retailers from some Big Oil restrictions. “Today, new liberties go into effect
July 02, 2013 Read Full Article
Legislators: Global Partners Will Not Pursue Ethanol Transport by Train
by Erin Baldissari (Wicked Local Cambridge) Facing pressure from legislators and residents, representatives from Global Partners LP said they would withdraw their proposal July 1 to ship ethanol by train through some of the region’s most densely packed cities, according to state
July 02, 2013 Read Full Article
If Sunset Lifts, Oregon’s Clean Fuels Program Could Bring Heavy Investments
by Spencer Richley (Clean Energy Fuels/Sustainable Business Oregon) Time is running out for the Oregon Legislature to lift the sunset on the Clean Fuels Program, a practical program that would greatly benefit Oregon consumers’ pocketbooks by boosting development of less-expensive
June 25, 2013 Read Full Article
SAFER Southern Bioeconomy Case Study Series: Biofuels Center of North Carolina
(Southeast Agriculture & Forest Energy Resources Alliance) “We’re the nation’s only comprehensive biofuels agency, and I say that more out of surprise than for the purpose of touting North Carolina,” said Steven Burke, President and CEO of the Biofuels Center of North Carolina, drawing attention to opportunities in the
May 28, 2013 Read Full Article
Ethanol Backers Propose E15 Tax Breaks
by Tim Landis (State Journal-Register) Ethanol supporters in Illinois want to trade a 20 percent sales tax break on E10 fuel sales in Illinois for a 10 percent break on E15, arguing it would mean jobs, cleaner air and more
May 28, 2013 Read Full Article
Support Growing for Veto of Ethanol Bill
(News Press) A bio-energy company on the Treasure Coast has joined Fort Myers-based Algenol Inc. in calling for Gov. Rick Scott to veto a measure that would repeal the state law requiring most gasoline sold in the state to include
May 28, 2013 Read Full Article
Iowa Takes Aggressive Step to Tear Down Big Oil’s Bogus Blend Wall
(Iowa Renewable Fuels Association) Passage of Retailer “Bill of Rights” Shows Commitment to Local Retailers and Consumer Fuel Choice The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) today applauded the Iowa Legislature’s passage of H.F. 640 as a big step in supporting fuel choice
May 27, 2013 Read Full Article
New Database Tracks Energy Legislation
by Joanna Schroeder (DomesticFuel.com) Colorado State University’s Center for the New Energy Economy (CNEE) has launched an Advanced Energy Legislation (AEL) Tracker, a database tracking energy-related state legislation pending in all 50 states. Types of energy include solar, wind, biofuels, natural gas and
May 09, 2013 Read Full Article
Douglas Durante: Florida's Ethanol Program Needs to Stay the Course
(Tallahassee.com) Having spent some time on the ground in Tallahassee and talking with several legislators over the past few years, it is clear the ethanol program the state has developed is not understood and certainly not appreciated for what is
May 08, 2013 Read Full Article
Letter to the Editor — Response to Palm Beach Post Ethanol Editorial
by Bob Dinneen (Renewable Fuels Association) Bob Dinneen, President and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association, penned the following letter in response to a recent Palm Beach Post ethanol editorial. Some say “where there is smoke, there is not always fire.” When reading
May 07, 2013 Read Full Article
Brandt: Order Higher Blends of Biodiesel, Ethanol for Use on the Farm
by Janet Kubat Willette (Post Bulletin) It all started last fall when Dan Brandt called his fuel supplier to see if he could get a higher blend of biodiesel delivered in the spring. His supplier told him he was the only one
May 07, 2013 Read Full Article
Oil $$, No Ethanol. Coincidence? I Think Not.
by Joanna Schroeder (DomesticFuel.com) Last week the biofuel industry took a hit when Florida voted to repeal its Renewable Fuel Standard, HB4001, that required fuel retailers to blend ethanol into their gasoline. The charge against ethanol was led by Florida Senator Greg Evers,
May 03, 2013 Read Full Article
Florida Legislation Threatening Algenol’s Expansion in State
(Algae Industry Magazine) Tim Engstrom reports in Gannett’s news-press.com that a bill to repeal Florida’s Renewable Fuel Standard passed in the current legislative session and sent to Gov. Rick Scott for signing is putting Algenol’s plans for a $400 million
May 03, 2013 Read Full Article
Maine Legislator Turns up Heat on Ethanol Battle
by Eva Murray (Bangor Daily News) ...Rep. Jeff Timberlake, R-Turner, has been heading up an effort in the Maine Legislature to revisit ethanol and to encourage fuel suppliers to make a non-ethanol product available to Maine consumers. Timberlake hopes that
April 30, 2013 Read Full Article
Evers Wins Ethanol-Free Gas Victory
(NorthEscambia.com) Sen. Greg Evers is applauding the passage of his bill that allows Florida consumers to choose gas that is ethanol free. ...The bill passage prompted a joint statement from a joint statement, Bob Dinneen, President and CEO of the Renewable
April 25, 2013 Read Full Article
Minnesota Bill Would Allow Other Biofuels to Meet Ethanol Mandate
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) Pending legislation in Minnesota could alter the state’s ethanol mandate, allowing for the use biofuels under than ethanol to meet the current 10 percent renewable content requirement for gasoline. ... Current bill text posted to the legislature’s website specifies
April 24, 2013 Read Full Article
Florida Legislature Poised to Pull the Plug on Florida’s Bioenergy Sector
(Business Wire/Florida Biofuels and Bioenergy Association) $1 Billion in Investment At Risk On Tuesday and Wednesday, the Florida Legislature will consider HB4001, which repeals the Renewable Fuels Standard set in 2008. With a federal mandate for 10 percent ethanol in gasoline, this legislation will
April 19, 2013 Read Full Article
Florida Senate Bill Repealing Ethanol Requirement Rewritten with Only 'Nice Words'
by Bruce Ritchie (The Florida Current) A Senate bill that would repeal the 2008 requirement that gasoline in Florida contain about 10 percent ethanol was rewritten on Tuesday to remove the repeal. Bill supporters say the law requirement is a government mandate
April 10, 2013 Read Full Article
Florida Bill Would Repeal Ethanol Requirement
by Cindy Zimmerman (DomesticFuel.com) A bill has been introduced in the Florida legislature that would repeal the state’s Renewable Fuel Standard Act. Currently, the Florida law requires that all gasoline sold or offered for sale by a terminal supplier, importer, blender or wholesaler
March 26, 2013 Read Full Article
Hemp Bill Passes Second Reading in Hawaii Senate
by Thomas H. Clarke (The Daily Chronic) A bill that would establish a two-year hemp pilot program in Hawaii passed a second reading with amendments on the floor of the Senate last week, and has been referred to the Ways
March 25, 2013 Read Full Article
Biodiesel Exec Pushes to Keep State Biofuel Mandate in Place
by Dennis Domrzalski (Albuquerque Business First) One of America’s largest producers of biodiesel said it might walk away from its unfinished biodiesel plant in Clovis if the state Legislature rolls back a mandate that all diesel fuel sold in the state
March 06, 2013 Read Full Article
Big Oil’s Big Smear?
by Brad Krohn (Biofuels Digest/United States EnviroFuels, LLC) Big Oil’s best kept secret from the American consumer is Brazil’s fuel ethanol mandate, which started during the 1970s as a result of the OPEC oil embargoes. In Brazil, where ethanol
March 04, 2013 Read Full Article
Minnesota Legislature: Bill Would Broaden Biofuels Additives in State
by Leslie Brooks Suzukamo (TwinCities.com) Minnesota legislators will get a chance Wednesday, Feb. 27, to look at a bill that would allow a different kind of corn-based biofuel besides ethanol to be mixed with gasoline. The bill also would set an
February 27, 2013 Read Full Article
Clean Fuel Backers Seek Oregon Program Extension
by Christina Williams (Sustainable Business Oregon) Proponents of Oregon's Clean Fuels Program cosponsored an event in Salem Wednesday with Drive Oregon that brought a troupe of electric vehicles to the Capitol in Salem. On the heels of a report on Oregon's
February 08, 2013 Read Full Article
Ethanol Fuel Targeted by Legislators, Administration
by Brett Whitmarsh (WLBZ) The Maine legislature will decide whether to restrict or even eliminate the use of ethanol in gasoline in the state. A legislator from Turner and the Maine Department of Environmental Protection are both submitting ethanol bills. ...Timberlake says
February 06, 2013 Read Full Article
Analysis: Advanced Biofuel Companies Now In More Than Half Of U.S. States; Clean Fuel Standards Fueling Growth In Top States
(PR NewsWire/Yahoo! News) Top 5 States For Advanced Biofuel Companies: Calif., Ill., Colo., Texas and Iowa; New Web Site at www.FuelingGrowth.org Documents Impact of Growing Industry California is home to nearly 30 advanced biofuel companies, but dozens of other states from coast to
February 06, 2013 Read Full Article
Fuel Efficiency Is Bad News For State Governments
(EconMatters/Business Insider) ... But it looks like what may be good for the environment, is actually bad news for the government. You see, for each gallon of gasoline or diesel we gas up in our cars, there’s a portion of tax
January 25, 2013 Read Full Article
Bills Seek to Reduce or Remove Ethanol from Maine Gas
by Scott Thistle (Maine Sun Journal) A pair of bills introduced Thursday by state Rep. Jeff Timberlake, R-Turner, could have a significant impact on what goes into the gas tank of your car, lawnmower or snowblower. One of Timberlake's bills would cut
January 25, 2013 Read Full Article
Bill Would Get Rid of Florida's Ethanol Mandate
by Troy Kinsey (BayNews9.com) ...Republican representative Matt Gaetz is filing a bill to do away with Florida’s ethanol mandate. ...“It's not the final solution to our energy needs, but it certainly can supplement our energy needs. If a choice is between
January 14, 2013 Read Full Article
Maine DEP Working on Plan to Ban Gas Blends with More than 10 Percent Ethanol
by Matthew Stone (Bangor Daily News) The Maine Department of Environmental Protection is preparing to wade into a national debate surrounding gasoline blends made up of more than 10 percent ethanol. The state agency is at work on a bill
January 11, 2013 Read Full Article
The Information Source for Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles
(US Department of Energy) The Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC) provides information, data, and tools to help fleets and other transportation decisions makers find ways to reduce petroleum consumption through the use of alternative and renewable fuels, advanced vehicles, and
November 27, 2012 Read Full Article
Bill to Eliminate Ethanol Funding Signed
(Hanford Sentinel) ... AB 523 eliminates all future state funding for the production of ethanol derived from corn after July 2013. Valadao’s office said about $6 million is provided to a very small group of corn ethanol producers. The new
September 05, 2012 Read Full Article
Massachusetts Law Delays Rail Transport of Ethanol through Boston
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) A new law in Massachusetts will delay allowing ethanol to be transported via train through Boston and several other cities until a public safety study is conducted. The legislation, titled “An Act financing improvements
August 15, 2012 Read Full Article
Building Opportunity: New Tax Credits in Florida Aim to Incent Economic Development and Job Creation Through Biofuel Infrastructure Investments
by Erin Voegele (Biodiesel Magazine) ...Specifically, the bill provides a sales tax refund for materials used in the distribution of blends of B10 through neat B100, ethanol blends of E10-E100, and other renewable fuels produced with biomass feedstock and used
July 19, 2012 Read Full Article
Myth Busting – Republicans and Algae
by Mary Rosenthal (Algal Biomass Organization/Biofuels Digest) ...When you get past the heated rhetoric of a presidential campaign and the demands of a 24-7 news cycle, support for algae is stronger than you might think. Very quietly, we are seeing
July 19, 2012 Read Full Article
New Hampshire Bill Restricts Ability for State to Join LCFS Programs
by Erin Voegele (Biodiesel Magazine) The New Hampshire legislature recently passed legislation (HB 1487) that aims to prohibit the state from participating in any low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) programs that require quotas, caps or mandates on transportation fuels, fuels
July 05, 2012 Read Full Article
Scott Defies Tea Party on Renewable-Energy Bill
by Jim Saunders (The News Service of Florida/Orlando Sentinel) Gov. Rick Scott late Friday disregarded pressure from tea party and conservative groups and a controversial measure including tax breaks for renewable-energy production to become law without his signature. Scott's decision effectively gives a victory to
April 16, 2012 Read Full Article
State Bonds Will Build Facilities for Aviation Biofuels
by Jim Camden (The Spokesman-Review) ...Among legislation closely followed by Spokane businesses was an aviation biofuels plan that allows bonds from the state’s Housing Finance Commission to be sold to help build facilities to turn agricultural products into jet fuel.
April 12, 2012 Read Full Article
Illinois Bill Would Boost Ethanol Producers
(Convenience Store News) Illinois biofuel companies who have faced a market glut since the end of a federal tax credit led energy companies to rush pre-expiration production may have hope in the form of a newly proposed bill that would create new
March 27, 2012 Read Full Article
State Concerned with Algae-to-Ethanol Process of Fort Myers Company
by Laura Layden (Naples News) State concerns with a Southwest Florida company’s plans to make ethanol from algae may have stalled the business’s expansion. Tucked inside an energy bill the Legislature approved in the final hours of its recent session is
March 14, 2012 Read Full Article
Boosters of Butanol Say Change in Law Needed
by Leslie Brooks Suzakamo (TwinCities.com/Pioneer Press) A Colorado green fuels company wants a Minnesota ethanol law that expires at the end of the year to be extended and changed so gasoline can be blended with a new biofuel called butanol
March 09, 2012 Read Full Article
House Proposal Would Raise Gas Tax and Some Vehicle Fees
by O. Kay Henderson (RadioIowa) Iowa’s gas tax would be eight cents per gallon higher by April, 2014 under a proposal that has cleared a five-member House panel. The bill also calls for new yearly fees for hybrid vehicles and for
February 20, 2012 Read Full Article
Changes to Ohio’s Definition of “Agriculture” Could Benefit Bio-Energy
by Chris Kick (Farm and Dairy) A bill that would broaden the definition of agriculture in Ohio to include algal production and anaerobic digesters is making its way through the House and Senate. ...The bill defines the production of bio-energy
February 17, 2012 Read Full Article
Road Use by E.V. Drivers: To Tax or Not to Tax?
by Jim Motavalli (New York Times) Drivers of purely electric vehicles avoid paying the gas taxes included in the cost of a petro-product fill-up. Consequently, if E.V.’s were to become widely adopted, less money could flow into accounts that pay to build
February 15, 2012 Read Full Article
Production of Castor Beans as a Biofuel Source Would Be Outlawed under Oklahoma Measure
by Michael McNutt (NewsOK) Oklahoma House panel passes measure that would prohibit growing the ornamental plant commercially as a biofuel crop. The flowering plant still may be grown by nurseries. Growing castor beans for commercial purposes would be illegal under a
February 09, 2012 Read Full Article
Mississippi Senator Seeks to Require Ethanol-Free Gasoline
by Kent Misegades (General Aviation News) Mississippi State Senator Michael Watson has just introduced Senate Bill 2137, “An act to require retail dealers and distributors of gasoline to offer for sale or use nonethanol-blended unleaded premium grade gasoline.” When asked for his motivation,
February 02, 2012 Read Full Article
California Bill Seeks to Eliminate Future Corn Ethanol Funding
by Kris Bevill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The California State Assembly is expected to vote soon on a watered-down version of a bill initially proposed last year, targeting corn ethanol production for elimination from a state subsidy program. AB 523
February 01, 2012 Read Full Article
Bills Aim to Help Establish Arizona as Algae-Farming Center
by Jessica Testa (Cronkite News) Anticipating a day when Arizona becomes a leader in producing algae for biofuel, a Tucson lawmaker is pushing to have algae farms and related facilities defined — and taxed — like any corn field
January 25, 2012 Read Full Article
Washington State Horticultural Association Opposes Bill to Provide Additional Water for Organic Crops and Biofuel Crops
(PR NewsWire/Organic Tree Fruit Growers Alliance) At a recent legislative hearing in Olympia, the Washington StateHorticultural Association and its lobbyist Jim Halstrom (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvVO8tJc7zI) publicly opposed legislation (House Bill 2192) that would provide a relatively small amount of new water to allow apple and tree
January 19, 2012 Read Full Article
Expiring Ethanol Credit to Add to Gas Price Jump
(WRAL) Lack of action by state lawmakers and Congress is expected to raise gas prices in North Carolina by more than 8 cents a gallon, starting Sunday. Half of the increase comes from the state. North Carolina's gas tax is linked
December 29, 2011 Read Full Article
Fla. Shouldn't Give up on Renewable Fuels
(Orlando Sentinel) Editorial: ...This month a state House panel approved a bill to repeal the 2008 state law that requires most gasoline sold in Florida to include up to 10 percent ethanol. Sponsor Matt Gaetz, a Republican from Fort Walton
December 29, 2011 Read Full Article
Two Oklahoma Lawmakers File Bills to Bar Castor Beans
by Randy Krehbiel (Durant Daily Democrat) ...Ricin, which can be extracted from crushed castor beans, is so potent a toxin that a dose equivalent to a few grains of salt induces a slow, agonizing death marked by vomiting and diarrhea.
November 29, 2011 Read Full Article
Local Lawmakers Unveil Plan for Attracting, Keeping Jobs in Illinois
by Will Buss (News-Democrat) Two state lawmakers believe they have a solution to Illinois' high unemployment rate. Rep. Dwight Kay, R-Glen Carbon, and Rep. Paul Evans, R-O'Fallon, have a blueprint that they believe will attract and keep jobs in the state.
October 24, 2011 Read Full Article
New Fuel Might Mean Higher Gas Prices for Chicago
by Kathryn Ferrara (Medill News Service/Northwest Indiana) Chicago area drivers may pay more for gasoline next year if the state Legislature adopts a proposed change in the sales tax. Most Chicago area drivers are buying what's referred to as E10 gasoline,
October 17, 2011 Read Full Article
Gaetz Bill Would Let Gasoline Sellers off the Ethanol Hook
by Tom McLaughlin (TheDestinLog.com) State Rep. Matt Gaetz has proposed the repeal of the Florida Renewable Fuel Standard Act. If a bill he introduced in early August becomes law, gasoline distributors would no longer be required to sell fuel containing 9
September 08, 2011 Read Full Article
Louisiana Biofuels Plan Would Decentralize Production
by Michael K. Bullard (Ethanol Producer Magazine) How the 2008 Recession Halted the Progress of Louisiana’s Advanced Biofuel Industry Development Initiative ...The Advanced Biofuel Industry Development Initiative (Act 382) represents a complete strategy to not only address the aggressive federal mandates
August 23, 2011 Read Full Article
Legislation Friendly to Biodiesel
by Gene Lucht (Iowa Farmer Today) ...On the biodiesel front, there are three basic components, says Randy Olson, executive director of the Iowa Biodiesel Board: =Extension and change of the retailer tax credit. The current credit is for 3 cents per
June 27, 2011 Read Full Article
California's Clean Fuel Push Opens Door To Brazilian Ethanol
by Ben Lefebvre (Dow Jones News Wires) California's push to reduce fuel emissions in the next decade could lead to Brazilian ethanol makers making new inroads into the U.S. The Golden State is attempting to reduce the carbon intensity of its transportation
June 15, 2011 Read Full Article
N.D. Continues Expansive Biofuel Infrastructure Build-Out
by Kris Bevill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) North Dakota is poised to continue its impressive expansion of biofuels infrastructure with the continuation of a program to encourage the installation of retail ethanol and biodiesel fuel pumps. Originally established in 2009, the state’s
June 09, 2011 Read Full Article
Kitchen Grease Fuels House Bill
by Anne Blythe (The Charlotte Observer) Yellow kitchen grease has become as good as gold as gasoline prices soar and biodiesel fuel becomes more appealing. Just as one industry's waste becomes a hot commodity for another, a slippery underworld of fry
June 06, 2011 Read Full Article
Iowa Becomes First State to Incentivize E15
by Kris Bevill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad is expected to sign a bill today, May 26, which will provide a boost to the state’s renewable fuels producers and distributors. The bill, S.F. 531, was passed by the state
May 27, 2011 Read Full Article
Vermont Heating Oil to Contain Biodiesel
(National Biodiesel Board/Biodiesel Magazine) Vermont continues the momentum for clean air policies in the North East by passing a requirement for renewable, cleaner-burning biodiesel to be used in home heating oil throughout the state. ...The broad-based energy legislation establishes low sulfur
May 27, 2011 Read Full Article
Port of Vancouver, USA First to Step up to Biodiesel Challenge
(Port Technology International) The Port of Vancouver, USA is one of the first pots in the United States to replace regular diesel fuel with environmentally-friendly biodiesel for use in almost all of its own vehicles and heavy equipment. Biodiesel is
May 17, 2011 Read Full Article
Iowa Legislature Passes Renewable Fuels Legislation
by Cindy Zimmerman (DomesticFuel.com) The Iowa Legislature today (May 4, 2011) approved comprehensive renewable fuels legislation intended to increase E15 sales and biodiesel production. ...(T)the bill includes a new 3 cent per gallon retailer tax credit for E15 sales, allowing
May 12, 2011 Read Full Article
Rep. George: Alternative Fuels Grant Program Accepting Applications
(The Progress News) State Rep. Camille "Bud" George, D-74 of Houtzdale, encouraged local businesses and political subdivisions to apply for grants available through the state's Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant program. "The AFIG program was established in 1992 and has consistently helped
May 09, 2011 Read Full Article
Incentives of Biofuels Industry Clear Final Legislative Hurdle
by O. Kay Henderson (Radio Iowa) A bill on its way to Governor Branstad’s desk extends a variety of tax breaks and incentives for so-called “biofuels”. For example, the legislation creates new tax incentives for retailers who sell E-15, the slightly
May 05, 2011 Read Full Article
California Committee Drops Bill to Eliminate Corn Ethanol Funding
by Kris Bevill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The California State Assembly Committee on Transportation voted 6-3 on May 2 to defeat a bill that would have repealed the state’s ethanol producer incentive program (CEPIP) and made corn ethanol projects ineligible for
May 05, 2011 Read Full Article
The Golden Landfill State: California Democrats Continue to Block Use of Waste for Biofuels
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In California, Jim Stewart, Chairman of the Board, BioEnergy Producers Association reports: “Democrats on California’s environmental committees, for more than six years, have blocked corrective legislation that would enable the state to make constructive use of its
April 29, 2011 Read Full Article
MINN. LEGISLATURE ROUNDUP: Ag Bill Could Get Dayton Signature
by Don Davis (Grand Forks Herald) Gov. Mark Dayton likely will sign an agriculture funding bill despite earlier demands that the Republican-controlled Legislature agree on all of its spending plans before he approves any individual bill. ...The most-discussed item in the
April 18, 2011 Read Full Article
Oregon’s Diesel to Contain 5 Percent Renewable Biodiesel
(National Biodiesel Board) Oregon is about to become the second state to require that most of the diesel sold there contain at least 5 percent biodiesel (B5). The National Biodiesel Board applauded the state on its progressive upgrade. “Policymakers in Oregon
April 12, 2011 Read Full Article
Indirect Land Use Change: A Second-Best Solution to a First-Class Problem
by David Zilberman, Gal Hochman, and Deepak Rajagopal (AgBioForum) Concern about the possible effects of biofuels on deforestation have led to assigning biofuel producers with the responsibility for the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of the indirect land-use changes (ILUC) associated
April 05, 2011 Read Full Article
Budget Cuts May Target MSU-N Biodiesel Facility
by Kay Rossi (KXLH.com) ...Five years ago, Montana State University-Northern received $800,000 in grant funding for infrastructure and staffing for a new biofuel lab at the MSU-N Bio-Energy Center Now the nationally-certified facility performs a variety of functions, from researching
March 25, 2011 Read Full Article
South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard Signs Bill to Boost Ethanol Industry, Development Loans
by Chet Brokaw (AP/The Republic) Gov. Dennis Daugaard signed into law Thursday a measure aimed at boosting ethanol sales at South Dakota gas stations and providing extra money for economic development loans. ...The ethanol measure was proposed by the governor and
March 25, 2011 Read Full Article
New Hampshire House Bans Ethanol
(KRVN) The New Hampshire House has passed a bill that would ban the sale of corn-based ethanol in the state. Earlier the House Science Technology and Energy Committee voted down the piece of legislation, however, Representative David Campbell spoke up
March 24, 2011 Read Full Article
Bill Requiring Increased Use of Biodiesel Sparks Dispute
by Cy Ryan (Las Vegas Sun) Truckers would be required to use 10 percent biodiesel in their fuel under a bill introduced in the Senate, which is already sparking a disagreement. Paul Enos, representing the Nevada Transport Association, said such a
February 22, 2011 Read Full Article
Doyle Signs Renewable Fuels Bill into Law
(Wisconsin Ag Connection) A legislative proposal that would encourage the development, production and use of renewable fuels in Wisconsin is now the law of the land. On Tuesday, Governor Jim Doyle signed SB 279, also known as the 'ethanol bill,'
May 20, 2010 Read Full Article
Push Is on for Higher Ethanol Blends
by Chris Lusvardi (Herald-Review.com) ...(T)he Illinois Senate has approved a measure that will eventually allow higher blends of ethanol to receive the state sales tax exemption. Marketers can sell ethanol blended fuel with a sales tax reduction of 20 percent