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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Mike Gerber |
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Gerber says Pa. meets first in-state biodiesel production threshold
HARRISBURG, Jan. 22 – State Rep. Mike Gerber, D-Montgomery, announced today that within one year every gallon of on-road diesel fuel sold in the state will contain at least 2 percent biodiesel.
Gerber said it marks an important milestone of progress toward Pennsylvania's energy independence thanks to legislation he sponsored last year.
Last July, Gov. Rendell signed into law a multi-year alternative-energy initiative that included Gerber's legislation (H.B. 1202), which established the per-gallon content requirements of biodiesel and cellulosic ethanol. The requirement to include 2 percent biodiesel in on-road diesel fuel sold in-state is triggered now that Pennsylvania's biodiesel producers are able to manufacture 40 million gallons of biodiesel a year.
The lawmaker said the use of biodiesel and cellulosic ethanol will help decrease Pennsylvania's use of foreign fuels and will take a small step forward in efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
"This is the first milestone in Pennsylvania’s transition toward an energy independent future," Gerber said.
The fuel can be produced from soybeans or animal fats, and other technologies are emerging, such as those that use algae. Under the law Gerber championed, as Pennsylvania biodiesel production increases, all diesel fuel sold at retail will have to contain:
- 5 percent biodiesel once in-state production reaches 100 million gallons;
- 10 percent biodiesel once in-state production reaches 200 million gallons; and
- 20 percent biodiesel once in-state production reaches 400 million gallons.
Gerber said the law has been well received by Pennsylvania’s agricultural community as well as environmentalists. In addition to the biodiesel requirements, all gasoline sold at retail must contain 10 percent ethanol once in-state cellulosic ethanol production reaches 350 million gallons under Gerber’s law.
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