Renewable Fuels
#6508: Renewable Fuels (2006)
Developing minimum renewable fuel content requirements and fuel quality standards in an alternative fuels market.
Supported by Sierra Club (3 points).
Signed into law.
This bill continues our state’s efforts to lead the way in reducing our greenhouse gas emissions. Beginning in 2008, two percent of our diesel and gasoline must come from renewable sources.
Renewable fuels, like biodiesel, will not only lessen our dependence on foreign oil, they will also reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Yet another reason we supported the bill: Washington farmers plan to grow many of the raw materials used to create renewable fuels. The legislation has the added benefit of supporting Washington farmers and strengthening our own local economies. As Washington farmers are able to produce more of the raw materials, the minimum fuel requirement will increase accordingly.
Governor Gregoire requested this legislation, and it enjoyed support from a broad coalition that included environmental groups, farmers and labor unions. Because many our state’s farmers will benefit, Rep. Janea Holmquist, a Republican from Moses Lake, sponsored the House version.
Typically, many Eastern Washington Republicans favor incentives and oppose mandates. In this case, however, they supported the mandate because it was necessary to establish a reliable market for Washington’s farmers. Opposition to the bill came, not surprisingly, from the oil industry. But in this time of record profits for many oil companies, the Legislature largely ignored their concerns.
Reps. Janea Holmquist and Hans Dunshee; Sens. Erik Poulsen and Phil Rockefeller.