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World Biofuels
Symposium
November 13-15, 2005
Beijing, China
2nd Annual Canadian Renewable Fuels Summit
December 13-15, 2005
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Hosted by:
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National Biodiesel
Conference & Expo 2006
February 5-8, 2006
San Diego, California
Organizer:
National Biodiesel Board
11th Annual
National Ethanol Conference: "Policy & Marketing"
February 20-22, 2006
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Sponsored by:
Renewable Fuels Association
22nd
Annual International Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo
June 20-23, 2006
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
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Posted on
August 16, 2002State ag chief wants ethanol in all gas By TOM SHEEHAN/Tribune Capitol bureau
Wisconsin should require gasoline sold statewide to include at least 10 percent ethanol, state Agriculture Secretary James Harsdorf said Thursday.
The mandate would help protect the environment, boost the agricultural economy and increase national security by reducing reliance on foreign-produced oil, Harsdorf said.
Under federal law, gasoline retailers in six southeastern Wisconsin counties are required to sell only reformulated gasoline. Although not a specific requirement, reformulated gasoline most often includes ethanol, said Dennis Koepke, an economist and fuel specialist with the state Department of Natural Resources.
The federal Clean Air Act requires the sale of only reformulated gasoline in the counties of Racine, Kenosha, Waukesha, Milwaukee and Ozaukee. The law is intended to reduce toxic and noxious emissions from vehicles, Koepke said.
Harsdorf, who met with members of the Wisconsin Ethanol Producers Association at the Capitol, said he also would support such a mandate at the federal level.
In Wisconsin, the idea is one of several being considered to promote growth of the state's emerging ethanol industry. The state budget repair bill left intact nearly $3 million in incentives for state ethanol producers, but the industry will have to convince legislators it's worth the investment as the state government's financial outlook worsens.
Wisconsin now imports about 125 million gallons of ethanol a year but could produce enough to export as the industry grows, Harsdorf said. Wisconsin ethanol producers also will be poised to take advantage of increased demand for ethanol in states such as California that have banned some other gasoline additives, Harsdorf said.
Ace Ethanol in Stanley, which is expected to produce 15 million gallons a year, is the only dedicated ethanol plant now producing in the state. A second plant, which is expected to produce about 40 million gallons a year, is scheduled to open in Monroe in September.
Proposed ethanol plants near Oshkosh and Menomonie are in the planning or early construction phases. In Columbia County, the Arlington Village Board is reviewing a proposal by the United Wisconsin Grain Producers for a plant.
In some cases, ethanol producers also will have to work to overcome objections of some potential neighbors, who have raised concerns about odors from the plants. Many of the people complaining moved into agricultural areas, however, Harsdorf said.
Ethanol production, which uses corn to create fuel, also could boost the state's beef industry by creating an affordable source of grain for cattle feed, Harsdorf said. High-protein grain is a byproduct of ethanol production.
"I think it's good for the environment, and it will help the industry in terms of getting it off the ground. I think it's in our national interest as we look for ways to reduce the importation of oil products," Harsdorf said.
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