Date: March 11, 2011
Two Midwest senators proposed legislation March 10 favoring the build-out of biofuels infrastructure and continued federal support of ethanol and biodiesel. The Securing America’s Future with Energy and Sustainable Technologies Act, introduced by Sens. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and Tim Johnson, D-S.D., would establish incentives for biofuels infrastructure and deployment, develop a “more cost-effective” tax credit program for ethanol and biodiesel, establish a renewable energy standard and encourage greater production of hybrid, electric and flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs).
“At a time of rising gas prices, this bill would provide incentives that can help us utilize more homegrown biofuels, strengthen our homegrown energy economy in Minnesota and secure our energy future,” Klobuchar stated.
The bill immediately received widespread support from renewable fuels and agriculture groups. It has been endorsed by the National Farmers Union, Growth Energy, the National Association of Energy Service Companies, the American Soybean Association, the Minnesota Farmers Union, the Minnesota Corn Growers Association and the National Biodiesel Board. The Renewable Fuels Association has likewise voiced its support for the legislation, but added that other proposals such as a variable tax credit also deserve consideration.
The 117-page SAFEST Act covers a wide spectrum of renewable fuels interests and contains several important provisions related to the ethanol industry. It amends the definition of “advanced biofuel” to include corn starch-derived ethanol.
Source: Ethanol Producer Magazine
No comments:
Post a Comment