SB 238 – Ethanol Repeal Update
Posted by NCF912Project
This was sent through the Tea Party Network:
Posted on December 30, 2011 by John Collins
SB 238: Stuck in committee, please help.
SB 238: Florida Renewable Fuel Standard Act
GENERAL BILL by Evers; (CO-INTRODUCER) Gaetz
Florida Renewable Fuel Standard Act; Repealing the Florida Renewable Fuel Standard Act, to remove the requirement that all gasoline offered for sale in this state include a percentage of ethanol, subject to specified exemptions, waivers, suspensions, extensions, enforcement, and reporting; conforming a cross-reference, etc.
Senate Committee References: Communications, Energy, and Public Utilities (CU), Commerce and Tourism (CM)
Location: In committee/council (CM)
Last Action: 11/22/2011 On Committee agenda– Commerce and Tourism, 12/07/11, 9:30 am, 401 Senate Office Building –Temporarily Postponed (TP)
http://www.flsenate.gov/PublishedContent/Committees/2010-2012/CM/MeetingRecords/Meeting_packet_for_Dec_7.pdf
The link above on pp 135-149 show the scheduled speakers from the public. There were 6 slated to speak against the bill and only 2 to speak for it. No one was allowed to speak. The bill was “TP’ed”. Senator Lynn had a change of heart about the bill (since her vote to repeal in the first committee—10 yes, 1 no, BTW)fearing the possible loss of jobs (by ethanol plants being planned/built). She wanted more time to think about it. I think that she and another senator had been approached by ethanol companies since the first committee meeting. The chair, Nancy Detert was against the bill. Now if it fails to pass committee, the senators wouldn’t experience any political fallout from a committee vote.
Most of the speakers against the repeal were executives of ethanol plant companies: Highlands Enviro Fuels, Ineos Bio, Benchmark Designs and Florida Bioenergy Association. Besides Richard Harrison a tea party member, speaking for the bill was Bonnie Bashani of Boat US in Tallahassee. (See the weblink above) I think we needed more support at the meeting for the bill.
We need to work on the Senate Committee members (Commerce and Tourism) to persuade them of the damage being done to consumers by this stupid law. The committee members are: Lynn, Dockery, Detert, Montford (for the repeal), Ring, and Flores. Chair:
Senator Nancy C. Detert (R)
Vice Chair:
Senator Paula Dockery (R)
Senator Anitere Flores (R)
Senator Evelyn J. Lynn (R)
Senator Bill Montford (D)
Senator Jeremy
Video of the committee meeting was not available.
Observation: it isn’t fair that 1 powerful Senate Committee can kill a repeal which might otherwise pass if allowed to go to the floor. We MUST change this practice—somehow. The Senate Environmental Conservation & Preservation Committee killed the septic tank law repeal last year—by themselves!
Note: Not only do they work against us they use our tax dollars to do it.
The Highlands EnviroFuels, LLC project was awarded a $7 million grant from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Farm to Fuel Program to be used for project development and for the purchase of plant and equipment.
To follow ths bill go to: http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2012/0238; if you think that it is only fair that this bill get out of committee and be sent to the full Legislature for a vote, please contact the members of this committee and ask them to put it on their agenda!
Ethanol Mandate Repeal Bill
Posted by NCF912Project
This is an important update regarding HB 4013, a bill to repeal the burdensome Florida Ethanol Mandate.
Energy and Utilities Subcommittee Chairman Scott Plakon (R-Longwood) has shown great leadership by placing this bill on the agenda for December 8, 2011 at 8:00am EST.
Please contact the legislators listed below who are members of the Energy and Utilities Subcommittee. Ask them to support HB 4013 by calling their offices or emailing them directly.
Rep. Ben Albritton (850) 488-9465 ben.albritton@myfloridahouse.gov
Rep. Lori Berman (850) 488-1662 lori.berman@myfloridahouse.gov
Rep. Jeff Clemens (850) 488-0260 jeff.clemens@myfloridahouse.gov
Rep. Janet Cruz (850) 488-9460 janet.cruz@myfloridahouse.gov
Rep. Daniel Davis (850) 488-5102 daniel.davis@myfloridahouse.gov
Rep. Shawn Harrison (850) 488-3087 shawn.harrison@myfloridahouse.gov
Rep. Clay Ingram (850) 488-8278 clay.ingram@myfloridahouse.gov
Rep. George R. Moraitis, Jr. (850) 488-0635 george.moraitis@myfloridahouse.gov
Rep. Peter Nehr (850) 488-5580 peter.nehr@myfloridahouse.gov
Rep. Kathleen C. Passidomo (850) 488-4487 kathleen.passidomo@myfloridahouse.gov
Rep. Scott Plakon (850) 488-2231 scott.plakon@myfloridahouse.gov
Rep. Elizabeth W. Porter (850) 488-9835 elizabeth.porter@myfloridahouse.gov
Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda (850) 488-0965 michelle.rehwinkel@myfloridahouse.gov
Rep. W. Gregory ”Greg” Steube (850) 488-6341 greg.steube@myfloridahouse.gov
Rep. Alan B. Williams (A) (850) 488-1798 alan.williams@myfloridahouse.gov
(Please call and email these representatives early next week and encourage them on this bill!
Gasoline Ethanol Update
Posted by NCF912Project
Date: November 5, 2011
Thanks to all who made phone calls last week to request that SB 238 be heard and passed through the Communications, Energy….committee.
Below is a synopsis of where the bill has been, and is at this point.
09/14/2011 Senate - Filed
09/21/2011 Senate - Referred to Communications, Energy, and Public Utilities; Commerce and Tourism
10/24/2011 Senate – On Committee agenda– Communications, Energy, and Public Utilities, 11/02/11, 11:00 am, 110 Senate Office Building
11/02/2011 Senate – Favorable by Communications, Energy, and Public Utilities; YEAS 10 NAYS 1
11/03/2011 Senate – Now in Commerce and Tourism
Go to: www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2012/238 to track this bill.
Action Alert – Help Repeal The Gasoline Ethanol Requirement!
Posted by NCF912Project
This is something we can do! Please pass this on to friends/family who may be interested and wish to make phone calls!
HELP Repeal Gasoline Ethanol Requirement
Ethanol is form of alcohol that is made from plants that is added to gasoline as a result of a Florida state mandate. Ethanol does not burn as efficiently as gasoline and costs each of us 1-2 miles per gallon. It also causes problems in older engines that have not been designed to burn ethanol.
Most ethanol is made from corn and its production is subsidized by the federal government. As a result, world ethanol production has tripled between 2000 and 2007. This has driven up the cost of corn and other grains resulting in increased food prices. SB238 will repeal the requirement to put ethanol in gasoline in Florida.
Issue: “Renewable Fuel Standard Act Repeal” SB238
Facts: SB238 is a bill sponsored by Senator Greg Evers repealing the “Renewable Fuel Standard Act” which relates to Ethanol in your gas.
• Bill will be heard in committee on Weds November 2, 2011 from 11:00am-1:00pm .
• We need to let Senator Evers know that we are there supporting this bill. There is a companion bill in the House that is sponsored by Representative Matt Gaetz.
Action Step:
Contact the below committee members in Tallahassee Tuesday during office hours and Wednesday before 11:00am, ask them to support this bill.
Chair: Senator Andy Gardiner (R) 850) 487-5047,
Vice Chair: Senator Christopher L. “Chris” Smith (D) 850) 487-5112
Senator Thad Altman (R) 850) 487-5053
Senator Lizbeth Benacquisto (R) (850) 487-5356
Senator Ellyn Setnor Bogdanoff (R) (850) 487-5100
Senator Oscar Braynon, II (D) (850) 487-5116
Senator Miguel Diaz de la Portilla (R) (850) 487-5109
Senator Greg Evers (R) (850) 487-5000 (Just let him know we are supporting this bill)
Senator Mike Fasano (R) (850) 487-5062
Senator Anitere Flores (R) 850) 487-5130
Senator Arthenia L. Joyner (D) (850) 487-5059
Senator Evelyn J. Lynn (R) (850) 487-5033
Senator Gwen Margolis (D) 850) 487-5121
Senator Joe Negron (R) 850) 487-5088
Senator Maria Lorts Sachs (D) (850) 487-5091