Bioenergy Group Urges Veto of Bill That Ends Renewable Fuel Act

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From The News Service of Florida:

The Florida Biofuels & Bioenergy Association wants Gov. Rick Scott to veto a bill (HB 4001) that would lift the 2008 state law requiring gasoline sold by a terminal suppliers or wholesalers to be blended with ethanol.

“We are disappointed in this step by the Florida Legislature,” the association, which advocates for clean energy and biofuel production, stated in a release.

“They’re telling both investors and the people who are working in bioenergy, biofuel, and biotechnology that Florida is closed for business. And the worst part about this it does nothing to actually change the composition of gasoline in the state of Florida. Yet it does a lot to kill jobs and kill investment.”

The bill was approved 33-1 in the Senate on Wednesday. The House voted to support the measure 77-39 on April 12. The Florida Renewable Fuel Standard Act was created to attract the ethanol industry to Florida.

Supporters of the repeal argued the requirement damages engines and drives up fuel and food costs.

Legislators in 2012 clarified the act so that retailers were not required to sell blended gasoline, which contains 9 percent or 10 percent ethanol or other alternative fuels.

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