Friday, August 1, 2008

Policy Tracker

Patrick signs biofuels package

Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick signed into law an incentives package for the state’s biofuels industry this week. Gasoline substitutes made from the cellulose of feedstocks — which include switchgrass, agricultural waste and forest products — are exempt from the state gas excise tax, making Massachusetts the first state to offer a tax incentive for a non-corn-based cellulosic biofuel. All diesel and home-heating fuel must contain 2 percent biofuels in 2010 and 5 percent by 2013. Greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector would be reduced by 10 percent, and the measure instructs the state to seek a regional standard with other members of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.

The new Low Carbon Fuel Standard puts Massachusetts on par with California, and urges more biofuels, plug-in hybrids, all-electric cars, and other innovations, according to Patrick’s office. At Mascoma Corp., an Allston clean tech firm,
Patrick stood with U.S. Rep. William Delahunt, Energy and Environmental Affairs chief Ian Bowles, Environment Committee co-chair Rep. Frank Smizik, and Reps Kevin Honan, Will Brownsberger, and Lori Ehrlich.
 

— State House News Service