Nice, but now the Gene Mod. people will have another reasion to tamper with nature.
Greg H. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Keith Addison" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <biofuel@yahoogroups.com> Cc: <biofuels-biz@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Monday, March 25, 2002 16:49 Subject: [biofuel] Biodiesel bill becomes law in Minnesota > Farm & Ranch Guide: News Column > Biodiesel bill becomes law in Minnesota > > By ANDREA JOHNSON, Valley Editor > > Farmers are closer to developing an important new avenue for their > soybeans as a result of Minnesota legislature. > > Minnesota will mandate a 2 percent inclusion of biodiesel into the > state's petroleum diesel supply beginning in 2005 if certain > requirements are met. > > Biodiesel is an alternative fuel made from renewable fats or oils, > such as soybean oil. > > The Minnesota House and Senate passed a bill on March 11 requiring > biodiesel blended with all diesel fuel sold in the state - with a few > exceptions. Diesel fuel used at nuclear power plants, by train > engines, and by mining equipment is exempted from the act. > > Gov. Jesse Ventura, on March 15, said he would not sign or veto the > bill. By not vetoing the legislation, Ventura allowed the bill to > become law under Minnesota statues. > > In a letter to Senate President Don Samuelson, D-Brainerd, Ventura > said he supports the bill's role in creating a new market for soy oil > and a new economic development opportunity for rural Minnesota. > However, he declined to sign the bill because he has "reservations > about any mandate from the government." > > Minnesota is the first state in the nation to require the biodiesel > addition to commercial diesel supplies. > > "On behalf of the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association (MSGA) and > all of the other farm groups and others who fought so hard for this > bill, I can only say we are absolutely thrilled and grateful for the > support of the legislature and the governor," said Ed Hegland, MSGA > president. > > According to language in the bill, two out of three items must happen > before the mandate goes into effect. > > First, 8 million gallons of biodiesel production capacity must be in > place in Minnesota. > > Second, 18 months must have passed after the federal or state > government enacts, through taxes imposed, tax credits or otherwise > creates a 2 cent or more/gallon reduction in the cost of diesel fuel > containing at least 2 percent biodiesel. > > Third, the date June 30, 2005 must have passed. > > Legislation is already pending in the U.S. Senate to provide tax > credits for biodiesel use. > > Biodiesel plants are also being planned in several southern Minnesota > communities. In Europe, biodiesel is already used, with existing > capacities for over 7 million gallons production/month, according to > the MSGA. > > In the United States, American Biofuels, Southern States Power, and > West Central Soy are building new biodiesel plants. Eleven U.S. > plants now produce 60-80 million gallons of biodiesel annually. > > "Biodiesel is definitely a part of the national energy plan, and I'm > proud to represent Minnesota - the first state in the nation to > require its use," said Hegland. > > According to the North Dakota Soybean Council, biodiesel contains no > petroleum, but it can be blended with diesel at any level or used in > its pure form. Biodiesel and biodiesel blends have proven successful > in more than 40 million road miles and more than 100 major fleets > nationwide currently use the fuel commercially. > > More than $25 million in soybean checkoff money has funded biodiesel > development in the United States. > > Now in Minnesota, soybean growers hope to put all of that research to > good use as the state gears up for biodiesel production. ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ---------------------~--> Buy Stock for $4. No Minimums. FREE Money 2002. http://us.click.yahoo.com/BgmYkB/VovDAA/ySSFAA/FGYolB/TM ---------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Please do NOT send "unsubscribe" messages to the list address. To unsubscribe, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
