| For Immediate Release | For more information contact: |
| March 13, 2002 | Shannon Robinson (651-296- 5989) |
ST. PAUL State Representative Rich Stanek (R-Maple Grove) announced that despite opposition from many legislators including himself the biodiesel mandate passed the Senate 53-11 and went on to a 78-53 vote on the House floor this week. A similar measure was defeated on the last day of the 2001 legislative session.
The bill defeated last year would have required diesel fuel sold in Minnesota to contain 2 percent biodiesel fuel by 2002 and 5 percent by 2003. The version of the bill passed on Monday now requires 2 percent blend but the mandate would only become effective when state biodiesel production exceeds 8 million gallons and 18 months after the state or federal government creates a subsidy. Even without the subsidy, the bill would become law February 28, 2005.
"The state should not be in the subsidy business," said Rep. Stanek. "This is a highly controversial provision that requires all diesel fuel sold in the state to contain a percentage of vegetable oil-based biodiesel. In my opinion, if biodiesel if effective and efficient as proponents claim, it should be able to compete without a government handout to soybean farmers."
The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce and the Taxpayers League of Minnesota oppose this legislation because the mandated use of biodiesel would result in additional costs to all diesel users, including trucking firms, school districts, townships, counties, metropolitan transit systems and the state's own fleet of trucks. "The additional costs to these businesses will no doubt be passed on to consumers and taxpayers further burdening the finances of Minnesota families," added Stanek.
The trucking and railroad industries also oppose this mandate because of the possibility that biodiesel would void engine warranties. Another group in opposition of the biodiesel mandate is the state's truckstop association, because members fear that truckers traveling through Minnesota will fill up their gas tanks in neighboring states instead of paying the extra cost for biodiesel fuel at Minnesota stations. In all, the trucking industry estimated that the addition of biodiesel will add $48 million, or 24 percent, to the millions of dollars it spends on diesel fuel in Minnesota each year.
If you would like to contact Rep. Stanek on this issue, he can be reached at 543 State Office Building, St. Paul, MN 55155; by phone at (651) 296-5502; or by e-mail at rep.rich.stanek@house.leg.state.mn.us.
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