Sep. 21, 2015
HARRISBURG – The House of Representatives today passed
House Bill 471 sponsored by Rep. Jim Marshall (R-Beaver/Butler), which would eliminate Pennsylvania’s ethanol blending mandate from Act 78 of 2008, the Pennsylvania Biofuel Development and In-State Production Incentive Act, said state Rep. Seth Grove (R-York).
Act 78 of 2008 was meant to incentivize investment in and production of cellulosic ethanol in Pennsylvania, but has failed to attract widespread investment across the Commonwealth. Specifically, the Act required that all gasoline sold in Pennsylvania contain at least 10 percent cellulosic ethanol, when in-state production exceeded 350 million gallons of ethanol. To date, Pennsylvania has never come close to exceeding that threshold.
“This is another example of a failed, ineffective government mandate. Consumers know that ethanol has lowered their fuel economy and can wreak havoc on older vehicles and small engines. We must continue researching viable alternative energy sources to decrease our dependence on foreign oil, but the ethanol blending mandate is not effective public policy,” said Grove.
Grove previously sponsored this legislation during the 2011-12 and 2013-14 sessions.
“I first introduced this legislation in 2011. Since that time, the reality of energy production and markets has changed greatly. While Act 78 may have been well-intentioned, this mandate is no longer necessary. I’d like to thank Rep. Marshall for taking leadership of this issue and my colleagues for their support.”
House Bill 471 will now be considered in the Senate.
Representative Seth Grove
196th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Eric Reath
ereath@pahousegop.com
RepGrove.com /
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