Renewable Energy Solar Energy Wind Energy Geothermal Energy Bioenergy Hydropower

Minnesota Passes Statewide B20 Mandate

May 21, 2008 | 3 Comments

Do you like this news?

Bookmark

Feed

Minnesota, United States [RenewableEnergyWorld.com] Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty signed a bill that will increase the state's current 2 percent biodiesel mandate to 20 percent by 2015. According to the legislation, the current 2 percent biodiesel mandate will increase to 5 percent on May 1, 2009, to 10 percent on May 1, 2012 and to 20 percent on May 1, 2015. There is built-in flexibility, including an approval process before moving to higher blends. This will allow the legislature, biodiesel producers and other stakeholders to gauge supply and demand impacts before moving to a higher blend.

"Implementation of the legislation starting in May of 2009 is timely and workable. The supply from the current biodiesel production capacity in Minnesota already exceeds 64 million gallons, more than enough to meet the five percent requirement, which would be 40 million gallons."

-- Chuck Neece, Chairman, Minnesota Biodiesel Council

The legislation also promotes the use of non-traditional feedstocks to fulfill the mandate by requiring that 5 percent of the feedstock come from non-traditional state agricultural resources. That includes algae, waste oils and tallow, as well as other future feedstocks being researched in the state, such as cuphea (an oilseed plant that can grow on marginal soils) and industrial hazelnuts.

"Implementation of the legislation starting in May of 2009 is timely and workable," said Chuck Neece, Chairman of the Minnesota Biodiesel Council. "The supply from the current biodiesel production capacity in Minnesota already exceeds 64 million gallons, more than enough to meet the five percent requirement, which would be 40 million gallons."

Bioenergy

3 Reader Comments

Comment
1 of 3

steven-mielke-81365

May 21, 2008

Yet another instance of governments legislating based on psychic predictions for what technologies will be viable in the future. You would think the food to fuel consequences that are already becoming widely appreciated (and were always pretty obvious) would give the legislators some cause for caution.

Comment
2 of 3

tom-ingram-5368

May 23, 2008

I get a little concerned when I hear of 'legislation' that dictates some technological standard, especially when it relates to this especially young technology.

By today's marks, yeah, B20 is not a bad idea.
What's it gonna be around 2015 when this ruling kicks in? Will it be B30 or B50 or some new hydrogen-hybrid-fuel, or is some other Buck Rogers thing gonna be the fodder for these stump speeches?

It's something of a 'false security' for those that think that their politicians are doing something for them. OK, yes, it's better than not trying to move ahead... and maybe it's about the only method our government has to cause business to improve its performance...

To me, it's about as useful and positive as the oil company executives being dragged in before the TV cameras and a noisy group of politicians getting on their cases about excessive profits. (That means: it's NOT useful.) The oil companies are doing what they can to make money within the constraints of the laws that we've now tied their hands with... and when they make money in doing so, they get yelled at.

I think the politicians and legislators would be better served in finding ways to encourage growth and development for their constituents than imposing limits on those that are doing the work and getting compensated for their successes in a free-market system.

Comment
3 of 3

james-leavenworth-59704

May 23, 2008

As a Minnesotan and a environmenalist and generally progressive type I'm certainly suspicous of Gov. Pawlenty and all his works. Also we all have a right to post disagreement with the content of an article, but steven, completely disregarding the content is another matter. I don't know the extent to which the order will divert production of bio fuel from direct or indirect human foodstock but a bow in that diection was mentioned at lengh. Of couse it is possible to sustain humans on algae but not even in the sci-fi flick Soylent Green is that regarded as a gourmet expierence. But then maybe topped off with some beef tallow, yummy!:)

Add Your Comment

Registered users, please make sure to Sign-In. We and others want to know your ideas and opinions. If you are not yet Registered -- it's quick and easy. Just click below.
Thanks!