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Biofuels Hearing Rescheduled for Jan. 28 - January 25, 2008
LENOX - A biofuels hearing postponed two weeks ago because of snow has been rescheduled for Monday, Jan. 28, from 4:30 to 7 p.m. in the Duffin Theater of Lenox High School on East Street.
The originally scheduled public hearing was to be the first held by a task force created by House Speaker Salvatore Dimasi, Senate President Therese Murray and Gov. Deval Patrick to explore the use of biofuels and provide recommendations for legislation, regulations and programs to develop an advanced biofuels industry in the state.
The Advanced Biofuels Task Force took testimony on Jan. 17 at the State House; two more public hearings are expected to be held in March.
Sen. Benjamin B. Downing, D-Pittsfield, was appointed to the task force in early December, just a week after he and Murray toured what will become the Berkshire Biodiesel facility in Pittsfield. The panel is chaired by Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Ian Bowles.
Biofuels are derivatives of plant matter - usually in the form of ethanol - that can be mixed with or replace gasoline. Biodiesel mixes ethanol with vegetable oil, animal fat, or recycled cooking grease; it commonly is used as a 20 percent additive with gasoline. Mixed fuels cut down on carbon dioxide emissions.
Expected to begin construction next year and begin operations in 2009, Berkshire Biodiesel will be the state's largest producer of biodiesel and will boast an output of 50 million gallons of biodiesel per year. Two other biodiesel plants are in the planning stages in Greenfield and Quincy. Officials say the price of biodiesel fuel will become more competitive as these plants come online.
As part of its work, the task force will develop a strategic framework to accelerate the research, development and deployment of commercially viable biofuels. Existing barriers to advancing biofuel innovation in the commonwealth will also be considered and legislative or administrative solutions to overcome those barriers will be filed by the task force with its final recommendations. The panel will also research the availability of federal grants for the advancement of biofuels.
The panel will accept oral or in written testimony at the hearing. There will be an opportunity to sign up for three-minute presentations at the hearing. Written comments will be accepted both before and after the hearing, but should be submitted no later than Jan. 31.
Written testimony may be sent to:
Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy & Environmental Affairs
100 Cambridge Street, Suite 900
Boston, MA 02114
Attn: Steven Clarke
Task force members:
- Chairman, Secretary Ian Bowles, Energy and Environmental Affairs
- Assistant Secretary David Cash, Energy and Environmental Affairs (secretary's designee)
- Sen. Benjamin B. Downing
- Bruce Jamerson, CEO, Mascoma
- David Davenport, Department of Revenue
- Sen. Pamela Resor, D-Acton, Senate chairman of theJoint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture
- Sen. Bruce E. Tarr, R-Gloucester, Senate assistant minority leader
- Rep. Frank Smizik, D-Brookline, House chairman Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture
- Rep. Brian Dempsey, D-Haverhill, House chairman Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy
- Rep. Bradley H. Jones Jr., R-North Reading, House minority leader
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Project looks very exciting. A small-medium oilseed crush plant (all mechanical) could help lower feed stock costs. I have a group that might have something of value.
nesbitt@embarqmail.com
| | from: Duncan P. Nesbitt | on: 01-30-2008 |
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