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Waugh Announces Plans to Introduce
Agriculturally
Derived Alternative Fuels Legislation
HARRISBURG -- At
a Capitol press conference today, Sen. Mike Waugh (R-York) presented three
pieces of legislation that he will soon introduce to further promote the
production and use of agriculturally-derived alternative fuels (biofuels) within
the Commonwealth.
“Together this package of legislation will foster
sustainable energy in Pennsylvania, help reduce our dependence on foreign oil
imports and, simultaneously, build new value-added markets for our State’s
number one industry -- agriculture,” said Waugh.
Three separate components of the Senator’s
legislation aim to:
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Phase out the use of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE),
a toxic gasoline additive, in Pennsylvania over the course of 5 years with
oversight by the Department of Environmental Protection;
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Amend the Pennsylvania Energy Development
Authority to further define membership on the board of directors and provide
the Authority with the power to fund grants for eligible projects;
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Provide for a tax incentive for agriculturally
derived alternative fuels produced in the Commonwealth to facilitate the use
of biofuels on the open market.
Waugh noted that today’s gasoline prices are a prime
example of why these alternative fuels are so important to pursue. In addition,
he pointed out the environmental and economic benefits of moving forward in the
effort to produce and use biofuels in Pennsylvania.
“The environmental concerns with increased pollution
and global greenhouse emissions, and the desire to improve the rural economy
have stimulated growing interest in the development of bioenergy technologies
that wisely utilizes indigenous, renewable resources,” stated Waugh.
In addition to Sen. Waugh the following individuals
spoke at the press conference: Guy Donaldson, President, Pennsylvania Farm
Bureau; Dan Sharrer, President, Agricultural Commodities Inc. and Alternative
Fuels and Renewable Energy Council; Dan Wolf, President, Penn-Mar Ethanol, LLC;
Russ Montgomery, President, Regional Economic Development District Initiatives (REDDI);
Betsy Huber, Grange Master, Pennsylvania State Grange. A question and answer
period followed.
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Audio
Video
Senator Mike Waugh (R-28) announced three pieces of
legislation on April 13 that would promote the production and use of
agriculturally derived alternative fuels in Pennsylvania.
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