HELP US REINSTATE
$4MM CUT FROM CEC'S DRAFT FUNDING PLAN
FOR DIESEL SUBSTITUTE FUELS
The California Energy Commission (CEC) released the 2011-2012 Investment Plan for the Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program, Committee Draft Report on May 9th. The report retained the $7.5 million for new production plants for diesel substitute fuels (biodiesel and renewable diesels) that had been proposed in the previous draft staff report. However, the biodiesel community was shocked to discover that $4 million in proposed infrastructure funding for diesel substitutes had been eliminated.
CBA appreciates the dollars for in-state production. However, we believe that it is unconscionable not to put money into infrastructure funding that would allow California's biodiesel industry to bring the full weight of biodiesel's much-needed low carbon benefits to our state's energy challenges. The current lack of biodiesel infrastructure for rail offloading, terminal storage, rack blending, and UST storage is a major deterrent to the expansion of biodiesel fueling in our state and is one key reason that California lags behind other states.
It is especially egregious to eliminate a source of funding that would allow UST owners to obtain equipment they need to comply with State Water Board regulations, which our industry fought so hard to put in place in 2009.
AB 118, the legislation behind this funding program, specifically directs the CEC not to pick winners among the alternative fuels. Yet, that is what will happen if we allow diesel substitutes to be the only alternative fuels not offered infrastructure funding.
We must speak up and time is of the essence! Please attend one of CEC's upcoming public workshops in person or online and send in a letter (details in left column). The final committee version of the funding plan, which will incorporate input from the workshops and letters submitted for public comment, is expected to be posted on CEC's website as early as mid-June.
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