GoodFuels

Mass. 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.