| A
new regulation restricting the sale of biodiesel blends and requiring a warning
label at the pump has been introduced in California. Although you are not living
in California, over 30 other states are linked to California regulations and your
purchases almost certainly will be affected by the National Conference of Weights
and Measures, which is looking at the proposed rules as a model. The
language of the proposed regulation would require biodiesel blends to meet fuel
specifications for petrodiesel. If adopted, this requirement could disallow the
sale of biodiesel blends such as B20. The proposed rule would also require any
biodiesel pump to have a label reading "CAUTION: THIS FUEL MAY NOT BE SUITABLE
FOR USE IN ALL DIESEL ENGINE VEHICLES. ITS USE MAY VOID YOUR WARRANTY, CHECK WITH
YOUR ENGINE MANUFACTURER BEFORE USING," which is negative and unnecessary. Click
here to review Article 5 Language Biodiesel
is a renewable fuel produced from domestic agricultural resources, such as soybean
oil, that can be used immediately in existing diesel engines. It is less toxic
and substantially reduces air pollution compared to traditional diesel fuels.
Here are the
new California Governor Elect, Arnold Schwarzenegger's campaign platform positions
regarding environmental policy. These statements would suggest that Governor elect
Schwarzenegger should be opposed to this regulation: -
"Cut air pollution statewide by up to 50%-- and restore independence from
foreign oil"
-- Biodiesel cuts air pollution and reduces our dependence
on imported oil. -
"Expedite Clean fuel transportation"
-- The proposed regulation
is contrary to the platform because it will hinder not help with the adoption
of biodiesel as a clean fuel technology in California. It will also discourage
mass markets for biodiesel in California because the labeling requirements are
bureaucratic and cumbersome to administer. It is contrary to the direction that
there be a true choice in the market because other clean fuels do not have these
labeling requirements. -
"California's fuel marketplace offers producers and consumers a real choice
of fuels that are more plentiful, cost-effective and at the same time reduce harmful
pollutants including... non-petroleum diesel blends"
-- The proposed
regulations will reduce real choice for biodiesel in the marketplace and increase
costs of biodiesel fuels relative to other 'clean fuels'. -
"Get gross-polluting vehicles off the road now...I will insist on strong
enforcement of new federal and state requirements for significant reductions in
particulate matter and other emissions from diesel-fueled trucks and buses."
--
Biodiesel is a low pollution fuel that can be used to allow existing diesel vehicles
to meet federal and state requirements to reduce particulate matter and other
emissions. The proposed regulations will make it more difficult for owners of
diesel vehicles to meet state and federal requirements to reduce air pollution
by using biodiesel because biodiesel will be more difficult to obtain.
For
your reference:
National
Grange Action Alert 4/7/03: Biodiesel Tax Incentive Legislations (S. 355/H.R.
1279) Should be Passed! The
National Grange's policy on biodiesel is as follows: -
The National Grange supports making the necessary hardware to adapt vehicles to
alternative fuels, such as ethanol and biodiesel, available to the public as the
appropriate technology comes of age.
-
The National Grange supports new requirements for all auto manufacturers that
receive federal funding to develop vehicles under the Partnership for a New Generation
of Vehicles Program to be compatible with biodiesel derived from domestically
produced agricultural feed stocks, such as soybean oil and corn oil.
-
The National Grange supports legislation to enact tax incentives to manufacturers
of blended fuels to expand and develop more refineries for the use of farm commodities.
Action
Plan --- Please call, fax or e-mail the new California Governor Elect, Arnold
Schwarzenegger to oppose the California State regulation to discourage biodiesel
use right now! Schwarzenegger
Transition Office
831 L Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Call: (916)
321-9300
Fax: (916) 321-9301
E-mail: info@joinarnold.com
| Sample letter
: |
|
Dear
Governor Elect Schwarzenegger:
I'm
writing to you to urge you to oppose the proposed California Department of Food
and Agriculture regulation restricting the sale of biodiesel blends and requiring
a warning label at the pump. This will discourage the production and consumption
of biodiesel, which is one of the most important alternative green energy resources
that will help California energy security and cleaner air. I appreciate your environment
policies that support for clean air and clean fuels choice. Please oppose the
proposed CDFA regulation that is exactly contrary to your campaign platform on
environmental issues. Thank
you again for your support for clean air and biodiesel. Sincerely, (Name)__________________________ (Grange/Grange
name and number) __________________________
| | If
you have any questions or comments please contact Legislative Research Analyst
Chil-Sook Hwang by fax: 202-347-1091
or by phone: 1-888-4GRANGE, ext 109. Thank you for your grassroots participation
in the National Grange Legislative program. Want
to Subscribe To  ? For
all subscription and circulation inquiries, Contact: Jonathan
Hill. | 
