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Legislature gives biodiesel a big helping hand Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Agri News staff writer
ST. PAUL -- Come next May 1, Minnesotans will be filling up with diesel fuel containing 5 percent biodiesel.
The increase, from the current 2 percent, comes as part of the state ag policy bill passed by the House and Senate May 7 and signed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty on May 12.
The bill passed 64-0 in the Senate and 123-9 in the House.
"The centerpiece of the bill is the B20 legislation," said Rep. Al Juhnke, DFL-Willmar, chairman of the House Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veterans Affairs Committee.
The bill incrementally increases the biodiesel percentage, beginning in 2009, with a jump from the current 2 percent to 5 percent. The next increase, to 10 percent biodiesel, takes effect May 1, 2012, and the percentage increases to 20 percent on May 1, 2015.
The 10 percent and 20 percent levels are mandated for use only from April through October because of cold weather concerns.
"Implementation of the legislation starting in May of 2009 in timely and workable," said Chuck Neece, chairman of the Minnesota Biodiesel Council and director of operations for FUMPA Biofuels of Redwood Falls, in a press release. "Once again, Minnesota leads the way and has put together a model for other states to follow."
Juhnke said everywhere he goes, people comment on Minnesota's leadership in renewable fuels.
"People are just amazed at Minnesota," he said. "They just can't believe what we do here in Minnesota."
The bill contains several off-ramps if problems arise with the implementation of the mandate, Juhnke said.
"There is well-thought-out built-in flexibility, including an approval process before moving to higher blends," Neece said. "This will allow all involved, from the Legislature, state agencies, end-users, consumers and biodiesel producers to gauge the economic, supply and environmental impacts before moving to a higher blend." |
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