Doyle announces ethanol and biodiesel funding proposal
January 10, 2007
BY Dave Nilles
The proposed budget Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle will announce today at his State of the State address includes funding and programs aimed at developing the ethanol and biodiesel industries in his state. Details of the budget were released Jan. 28.
Doyle announced $40 million in funding toward renewable energy, including an earmarked $5 million grant designated for developing the nation's first cellulosic ethanol plant. His proposal would also create the Governor's Office of Energy Independence, which would coordinate the state's efforts to grow Wisconsin's bio and renewable economies.
The proposed budget picks up on Doyle's "Declaration of Energy Independence," which he signed on Dec. 7, 2006. The declaration was aimed at capturing 10 percent of the nation's renewable energy market by 2030. The plan includes a public/private initiative that would invest $450 million in renewable energy projects.
Today's announcement is expected to set a goal of generating 25 percent of the state's power and transportation fuels from renewable sources by 2025, according to a press release from the governor's office. The Office of Energy Independence would be headed by an executive director who will report directly to the governor and cabinet agencies. The office will include staff from the Departments of Administration Division of Energy, Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, Natural Resources and the Public Service Commission.
The governor's budget also includes the Wisconsin Energy Independence Grant and Loan Program. It includes $30 million in grants and loans for companies and researchers that are developing new technologies to increase renewable energy. The goal is the speed the commercialization of technology.
Doyle is also announcing the Governor's Task Force on Global Warming to develop a state plan of action to solve global warming issues. "The scope and consequences of global warming are so massive that the responsibility for action rests not only with our leaders in Washington, but with all of us," Doyle said. "With new technology, and a commitment to renewable fuels, Wisconsin can lead the way-reducing global warming and helping this nation kick its addition to foreign oil."
Doyle's address will include an initiative to create 400 new renewable fuels pumps in Wisconsin. There are approximately 65 stations selling E85 and 14 selling biodiesel blends in the state, according to the governor's office.
Wisconsin has five operational ethanol plants. Utica Energy and Western Wisconsin Energy LLC and United Wisconsin Grain Producers operate 40 MMgy plants. Badger State Ethanol LLC and Ace Ethanol LLC have operated respectively operated 50 MMgy and 30 MMgy plants since 2002.
Four additional plants are under construction. Didion Ethanol and Castle Rock Renewable Fuels are building 50 MMgy plants. Renew Energy is developing the state's largest plant-130 MMgy-in Jefferson. United Ethanol LLC's 42 MMgy plant in Milton, Wis., is slated to begin production soon.
Wisconsin has no large-scale commercial biodiesel plants, but Sanimax Energy Biodiesel is building a 20 MMgy facility in De Forest.
Dave Nilles is Online Editor for Biodiesel Magazine. Reach him at dnilles@bbibiofuels.com or (701) 373-0636.
Posted: 1:42 p.m. CST Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Doyle announced $40 million in funding toward renewable energy, including an earmarked $5 million grant designated for developing the nation's first cellulosic ethanol plant. His proposal would also create the Governor's Office of Energy Independence, which would coordinate the state's efforts to grow Wisconsin's bio and renewable economies.
The proposed budget picks up on Doyle's "Declaration of Energy Independence," which he signed on Dec. 7, 2006. The declaration was aimed at capturing 10 percent of the nation's renewable energy market by 2030. The plan includes a public/private initiative that would invest $450 million in renewable energy projects.
Today's announcement is expected to set a goal of generating 25 percent of the state's power and transportation fuels from renewable sources by 2025, according to a press release from the governor's office. The Office of Energy Independence would be headed by an executive director who will report directly to the governor and cabinet agencies. The office will include staff from the Departments of Administration Division of Energy, Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, Natural Resources and the Public Service Commission.
The governor's budget also includes the Wisconsin Energy Independence Grant and Loan Program. It includes $30 million in grants and loans for companies and researchers that are developing new technologies to increase renewable energy. The goal is the speed the commercialization of technology.
Doyle is also announcing the Governor's Task Force on Global Warming to develop a state plan of action to solve global warming issues. "The scope and consequences of global warming are so massive that the responsibility for action rests not only with our leaders in Washington, but with all of us," Doyle said. "With new technology, and a commitment to renewable fuels, Wisconsin can lead the way-reducing global warming and helping this nation kick its addition to foreign oil."
Doyle's address will include an initiative to create 400 new renewable fuels pumps in Wisconsin. There are approximately 65 stations selling E85 and 14 selling biodiesel blends in the state, according to the governor's office.
Wisconsin has five operational ethanol plants. Utica Energy and Western Wisconsin Energy LLC and United Wisconsin Grain Producers operate 40 MMgy plants. Badger State Ethanol LLC and Ace Ethanol LLC have operated respectively operated 50 MMgy and 30 MMgy plants since 2002.
Four additional plants are under construction. Didion Ethanol and Castle Rock Renewable Fuels are building 50 MMgy plants. Renew Energy is developing the state's largest plant-130 MMgy-in Jefferson. United Ethanol LLC's 42 MMgy plant in Milton, Wis., is slated to begin production soon.
Wisconsin has no large-scale commercial biodiesel plants, but Sanimax Energy Biodiesel is building a 20 MMgy facility in De Forest.
Dave Nilles is Online Editor for Biodiesel Magazine. Reach him at dnilles@bbibiofuels.com or (701) 373-0636.
Posted: 1:42 p.m. CST Tuesday, January 30, 2007
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