GoodFuels
Domestic Energy Production
by Andrew Schuyler on Jul 28, 2008Mass. jumps into biofuels
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has taken a leading role in the advanced biofuels policy arena. A bill signed by the Governor today would exempt cellulosic ethanol from the state’s gasoline tax, effective immediately. This is the first state in the nation to provide such an exemption for cellulosic ethanol.
Additionally, the bill requires diesel fuel and oil heat distributors to use low levels of bio-based diesel. Beginning in July 2010, distributors will need to blend 2 percent bio-based diesel with petroleum-based diesel, with the schedule increasing by 1 percent a year so that by 2013 all diesel fuel in Massachusetts will contain at least 5 percent bio-based diesel.
The legislation was the product of the Massachusetts Advanced Biofuels Task Force, which was created in November 2007 by Governor Patrick, Senate President Murray, House Speaker DiMasi and Congressman Delahunt. The task force met for several months, conducted statewide hearings, and ultimately published a report in April.
The report recognized that policies should be implemented to foster growth in the state’s burgeoning advanced biofuels cluster. The bill signed by the Governor was supported by unanimous roll-call votes in both the House and the Senate.
Quick Shot
by Matt Hartwig on Jul 28, 2008Welcome Andrew Schuyler
Andrew Schuyler, Director of the Northeast Biofuels Collaborative, is that latest member of the GoodFuels team. He has worked as a reporter for several newspapers in the northeast, and served as Chief of Staff in the Massachusetts Senate.
During his seven-year tenure in state politics, Andrew succeeded in advancing several projects directly related to economic growth, environmental protection, and sustainable energy development. He also worked on a variety of issues that strengthened renewable energy standards, and was a founding member of the Berkshire Renewable Energy Collaborative.
Andrew has extensive relationships with policy makers, the press, and regulators, as well as a clear understanding of state and federal legislative processes.
He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and the Rocky Mountain School of Photography and serves on the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts League of Environmental Voters.
Welcome, Andrew!
Misleading Research
by Robin Speer on Jul 28, 2008Shoddy report by Canadian think tank debunked
A few weeks back, the C.D. Howe Institute (a think tank in Canada) released a report that generated a fair bit of news coverage. The report, ‘The Ethanol Trap: Why Policies to Promote Ethanol as Fuel Need Rethinking’, was riddled with errors and flawed assumptions.
In order to demonstrate beyond a shadow of doubt the faulty methodology and false conclusions, the CRFA commissioned an independent, arms-length analysis by (S&T)2 Consultants. It demonstrated that our concerns were very well founded. The critique highlights indisputable contradictions in logic and methodology that suggest the report was drafted to support a conclusion rather than to explore the facts in full.
This week, the CRFA has released the full report to the media and public. We have also shared the results with the C.D. Howe Institute and asked that they withdraw the work, given its many obvious errors. Key stakeholders, policymakers, and elected officials have also been provided with the report to ensure that their own impressions are balanced by rigour and fact.
With oil and gas at record prices, we have an economic and environmental imperative to grow beyond oil. That is the indisputable benefit of biofuels. The CRFA will continue to advocate for policies that meet the needs of consumers and that ensure Canada maintains and grows its position of international leadership in developing clean and green fuels for the future.
(To this end, but on a different note, give our new radio ad a quick listen. Enjoy!)
Domestic Energy Production
by Cindy Zimmerman on Jul 26, 2008Alliance Promotes Food and Fuel
Some of the biggest names in agribusiness have teamed up to fight for both food and fuel.
The Alliance for Abundant Food and Energy announced this week includes Archer Daniels Midland, DuPont, John Deere, Monsanto, as well as the Renewable Fuels Association. Their mission is to spread the word that through agricultural productivity the world can improve diets and reduce dependence on fossil fuels, and do so in a sustainable manner.
They point out the important innovations that these companies have already made to improve agricultural productivity, such as “seeds that yield more per acre, tractors that use GPS technology to avoid re-seeding rows, and processing techniques that allow us to make even more from a simple grain of corn. At the same time, these companies have sought to share their advances with farmers through donations and training programs in the U.S. and worldwide.”
The alliance plans to actively promote this message through advertising, lobbying and public relations efforts.
Quick Shot
by Cindy Zimmerman on Jul 26, 2008Halfway There
U.S. Senators Sam Brownback (R-KS), Ken Salazar (D-CO) and Joseph Lieberman (I-CT) this week introduced the Open Fuel Standard Act, which would require that half of all new automobiles starting in 2012 be flex-fuel vehicles warranted to operate on gasoline, ethanol, and methanol, or be warranted to operate on biodiesel. The requirement would be increased to 80 percent by 2015.
National Corn Growers Association Vice President of Public Policy Jon Doggett joined the senators in a press conference Tuesday to introduce the bill. “The Open Fuel Standard Act is an important piece of legislation,” said Doggett. “Flex-fuel vehicles are aptly named because they give consumers a choice. Corn producers are committed to producing more corn on fewer acres using better technology to achieve the goals of the Open Fuel Standard Act.”
This is a good start, but my question is, why just 50 percent and why four years to require that? It seems like it would be very easy for Congress to mandate all vehicles sold in the United States be flex-fueled, starting at least a year or two from now. Heck, they’re mandating light bulbs, why not flex-fuel vehicles? It would cost virtually nothing and require that Europe and Japan start getting on the flex-fuel bus that American auto makers are driving. Most importantly, it would open up the market for ethanol and really give consumers a choice when it comes to fuel.
But, at least it’s a start. Let’s see if it goes anywhere.
Ethanol News- Oil prices, weak dollar caused food price rally: study | Reuters.com
- Pennsylvania Bets on Biofuels
- AgWeb Blogs - Biofuel Chaos is Good Chaos
- VOA News - UN Reports Rising Energy Prices Spurs Green Gold Rush
- E85 Sales on the Rise
- Perry's airfare paid for by Poultry leader | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle
- Unleashing the power of corncobs - BostonHerald.com
- The Canadian Press: Harper says biofuels likely a small factor in rising cost of food
- Alabama Economist: Corn Is Not the Primary Cause Of Food Price Spikes
- Perry requested ethanol waiver after $100,000 gift to GOP group | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle