Washington Governor’s Energy Plan Will Boost State Biodiesel Industry
14 December 2005
Washington Governor Chris Gregoire is proposing an energy plan intended to accelerate the development of a market for biofuels as well as to help households pay power bills and to put new resources into energy conservation.
The Governor is proposing funding the initiatives by using $25 million from the tax on higher energy bills and redirecting a substantial portion of existing funds.
Elements of the plan include:
New legislation setting a 2% minimum (B2) biodiesel blend with diesel fuel sold in-state. The minimum would take effect, and gradually increase, as the biodiesel market develops. Washington currently consumes about one billion gallons of diesel each year; a B2 mandate would require about 20 million gallons of pure biodiesel. Washington currently is producing about 2 million gallons of biodiesel per year.
Help finance essential infrastructure for the biofuels industry by investing $17.5 million in low-interest loans for bioenergy projects such as seed crushers.
Use the Utility and Transportation Commission penalty fund to boost the state’s existing program to help families pay high heating and lighting costs.
Provide financial help for low-income households, schools and public facilities.
Make more homes energy efficient.
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Improve opportunities for small renewable energy generation. Current law would be revised to give consumers incentive to develop more of their own renewable energy resources, and sell to utilities more of the energy they generate.
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A number of communities have been using the legislature to increase the minimum amount of biodiesel in the fuel.
But, what guarantees that it will be availabe? I would imagine that it takes quite a bit of time for an investment group to (a) decide to build some bio-production, (b) make the aquisitions, (c) grow the stuff, (d) refine it, and (e) deliver it to the market.
Is there any reason to be concerned that there simply won't be enough biostock to go around when the law goes into effect?
Posted by: stomv | 15 December 2005 at 03:42 AM
We are not near 100% bioDiesel yet but there's enough out there to do something.
Remember - You have to start somewhere.
Posted by: Lucas | 15 December 2005 at 03:58 AM
^ Yes, but my question is: can the "start" be at 2%? That is, can the state handle an increase from 2 million gallons of bio to 20 million gallons of bio in the timeframe the law requires?
Posted by: stomv | 15 December 2005 at 06:31 AM
Being that Biodiesel can be manufactured from many resources, the jump as stated from 2 million gallons to 20 or 200 million gallons would not be difficult, given producers with enough vision.
Posted by: altfuelsfan | 15 December 2005 at 08:02 AM
Being that Biodiesel can be manufactured from many resources, the jump as stated from 2 million gallons to 20 or 200 million gallons would not be difficult, given producers with enough vision.
Posted by: altfuelsfan | 15 December 2005 at 08:04 AM
Minnesota seemed to be able to do it successfully when they adopted a B2 Minimum and it went into effect a few months ago.
Posted by: Lonetree | 15 December 2005 at 10:55 AM