Biofuels Update

2007-08 Legislative Session

The Hamilton Consulting Group

May 2008

© 2008 The Hamilton Consulting Group

Legislation

• AB-682. Renewable Motor Vehicle Fuels - Companion to SB 380 (Schneider): Subjects a refiner to a penalty if the percentage of renewable fuel sold by the refiner, beginning in 2009, is less than 10 percent and increasing to 25 percent in 2025 and thereafter. Introduced Jan. 11, 2007; Referred to Biofuels and Sustainable Energy;

• SB-380. Renewable Motor Vehicle Fuels - Companion to AB 380) (Wirch): Introduced Jan. 10, 2008; Referred to Campaign Finance Reform, Rural Issues and Information Technology; Public hearing Jan. 16; Passage as amended recommended (4-1) Jan. 29, 2008;

• AB-85. Vehicle Fuels (Sheridan) Creates an income and franchise tax credit for motor vehicles that use gasoline and ethanol mixtures as fuel. To Biofuels and Sustainable Energy.

Studies/Documents

N2O release from agro-biofuel production negates global warming reduction by replacing fossil fuels: Atmos. Chem. Phys., 8, 389-395, 2008.

Editorials

End the mandate (opinion): Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, May 14, 2008. Ethanol has played only a minor role in the rise in global food prices, but government doesn't know and shouldn't dictate which alternative fuel technology would be best.

Don't Give Up on Energy Independence (opinion): Wall Street Journal, May 7, 2008. We must not let this national debate be distorted by charges that one is either pro- or anti- oil. I believe strongly that Western oil companies ought to be supported in the production of as much oil as they can, for as long as they can. Reducing our reliance on foreign oil is, however, an urgent national security priority.

Greenhouse Affect (opinion): Wall Street Journal, Feb. 13, 2008. The ink is still moist on Capitol Hill's latest energy bill and, as if on cue, a scientific avalanche is demolishing its assumptions. To wit, trendy climate-change policies like ethanol and other biofuels are actually worse for the environment than fossil fuels.

Articles

GOP group wants curbs on ethanol: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, May 5, 2008. Senators tie production to increases in food prices.

Don't leap at biofuel plant plans (opinion): Wausau Daily Herald, Feb. 18, 2008. It would be unfortunate if taxpayer money was wasted and a company vital to the region's economic health was harmed by a hasty decision.

The dark side of biofuels: University of Minnesota News, Feb. 8, 2008. Turning pristine land into biofuel farms makes global warming worse.

New Study Raises Major Questions on Biofuels: The Nature Conservancy, Feb. 7, 2008. More Carbon Lost than Gained When Converting Land for Biofuels Crops; Findings Have Major Implications for Climate Change Policy.

Study: Biofuels May Produce More Greenhouse Gas Than Oil: FoxNews.com, Sept. 24, 2007. A renewable energy source designed to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions may be contributing more to global warming than fossil fuels, a study suggests.

Sheridan proposes flex-fuel vehicle tax credit: Janesville Gazette, Mar. 4, 2007. A local lawmaker wants to give Wisconsin residents another reason to buy into the ethanol boom.

1 ethanol plant site dropped: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Mar. 3, 2007. Developer says he still wants to build along Highway 11 in Dover.

Ethanol demand drives up food costs: Stevens Point Journal, Feb. 27, 2007. In the past six months, the rush to produce more corn-based ethanol has doubled the grain's value, increasing costs for foods that include corn as an ingredient or rely on it as animal feed.

Getting more miles to the gallon: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Feb. 23, 2007. Automakers are rolling out the hybrids.

State offers biofuel production guide: Green Bay Press-Gazette, May 29, 2007

DeForest biodiesel plant begins production: Wisconsin Technology Network, April 15, 2007. Wisconsin's first large-scale biodiesel plant has officially opened with a capacity to produce 20 million gallons per year.

Press Releases

Governor Doyle to Propose Major Investment to Achieve Energy Independence and Fight Global Warming: Gov. Doyle Press Release, Jan. 29, 2007. Will Dedicate $40 Million, Create New Office to Promote Renewable Energy.

Related Biofuels News

2005-06 Biofuels Initiative Update: The Hamilton Consulting Group, LLC