WSLC Reports Today -- March 6-10, 2006

BIOFUELS STANDARD PASSES!
Legislature strikes a blow for energy independence, boosts biofuels economy
Renewable fuel standard will attract biofuels jobs, provide farm income

The legislative session began with Republicans and Democrats calling for new energy independence strategies. And with strong leadership from Governor Christine Gregoire and Representative Janea Holmquist (R-Moses Lake), they opened up a large new market for biofuels in Washington State.

Bi-partisan cooperation for a major new energy policy can be hard to come by. But concerns about volatile oil prices, a struggling farm economy, and global warming pollution from fossil fuels proved a potent combination. Legislators passed a major bill establishing market access for ethanol and biodiesel, and a variety of incentives for in-state fuel crops and production facilities.

These bills attracted unprecedented support from a politically diverse coalition that included farmers, organized labor, conservation groups, investors, entrepreneurs, and fuel producers and distributors. Supporters hailed it as a major victory for energy security, farming communities, good jobs, and environmental protection.

“We are talking about economic development, revitalizing some of our agricultural communities, as well as cleaner air,” said Representative Holmquist. “This is a step in the right direction in breaking our addiction to foreign and domestic oil.”

Representative Janea Holmquist was the prime sponsor in the house. Senator Marilyn Rasmussen was the prime sponsor in the senate, with leadership from Senator Eric Poulsen, chair of the Water, Energy and Environment committee.

“This state has shown once again that economic prosperity, healthy communities, and conservation goals are not competitors. They are partners,” said K.C. Golden, Policy Director for Climate Solutions, a regional group working to build the clean energy economy. “The Legislature and the Governor have declared: ‘Washington is open for clean energy business!”

The renewable fuel standard is designed to increase biofuel use as the state’s capacity to grow and produce biofuels increases. It contains specific provisions for expanding the market over time as the local industry grows. The standards start at 2%, and ramps up to 5% for biodiesel and 10% for ethanol. State vehicles and vessels will use higher percentages of biodiesel.

The Apollo Alliance of Washington State, a coalition of labor, environmental, community and business groups supporting good jobs and energy independence, made the renewable fuel standard a priority this year. Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO President Rick Bender said the bill “will create a stable, growing market for biofuels. It’s the kind of strong, decisive, market-building policy that will get us moving toward a more secure energy future.”

Washington’s environmental community made this bill one of four priorities for the session, as well.

See the entire news release at IndependentFuels.org.