Indiana biofuels Bill maintains unanimous support

March 1, 2010

Indiana's Senators and Representatives have so far approved the biofuels Bill unanimously

New legislation that would extend Indiana’s grant scheme for biofuel fuelling stations and distribution infrastructure has successfully passed through the state’s Senate.

House Bill 1261 was voted through without opposition, to allow projects developing new refuelling infrastructure for E85-blend biofuels access to grants up to $100,000 or 50% of capital costs.

The Bill, which now returns to the state’s House of Representatives for consideration, extends the eligibility for the E85 Fueling Station Grant Fund, currently available only for governments, retailers, school corporations and state universities to install fueling pumps for E85.

The new grant scheme is to be renamed the Agricultural Biomass Infrastructure Grant Fund.

It should be available for any biofuel distribution project in which expenses were incurred after December 31, 2008.

State Senator Sue Errington (D-Muncie), one of the sponsors of the Bill, said: “Biomass and biofuels are going to be an important part of our future energy market. This bill gives biomass producers the tools they need to build and expand the infrastructure required to deliver these renewable energy products.”

The state’s House of Representatives originally voted unanimously to approve the Bill, but must now consider Senate changes.

State Sen. Marlin Stutzman (R-Howe), another sponsor of the Bill, said the changes to the state’s biofuels grant scheme would not require taxpayer funding, with grants available through corn check-off funds.

“By opening up more grant opportunities, we can encourage further development and use of alternative energy in Indiana,” State Sen. Stutzman said. “With today’s vote, the Senate helped move our state toward greater energy independence.”