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Tuesday, November 06
BOSTON — Massachusetts could vault from a straggler to a leader in
cleaner energy production and consumption, thanks to new legislation
filed yesterday by Gov. Deval L. Patrick and top lawmakers that also
could prove a boon for the Berkshires.
The state would become the first in the nation to require a blend of
biofuels in all home heating oil, while joining dozens of others in
setting minimum biofuel standards for diesel fuel.
The new market for biofuel in the Bay State could translate to strong
business for Berkshire Biodiesel, one of three new biodiesel refineries
planned for the state in Pittsfield.
"It increases the market for Berkshire Biodiesel, making it more
attractive and more economical, and sends a powerful signal in
Massachusetts that we want to be a leader," said state Sen. Benjamin B.
Downing, D-Pittsfield.
Massachusetts also would exempt a new form of ethanol called cellulosic
ethanol from the state gas tax, the first attempt by government to
create a market and encourage the production of this alternative fuel.
"This little vial of cellulosic ethanol is the future of transportation fuel in the commonwealth," Patrick saidyesterday, holding a small test
tube of the bio-based fuel produced at the University of Massachusetts.
"We need this in our gas pumps, our gas tanks and in our economy."
Patrick announced the legislation, filed yesterday, at the Statehouse
with House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi, Senate President Therese Murray,
U.S. Rep. William Delahunt and other state and industry leaders,
including Lee Harrison of Berkshire Biodiesel.
Harrison praised the governor and other politicians for their leadership on the issue of clean, greener energy.
The Pittsfield plant, slated to open for production by late 2008, will
produce about 50 million gallons of soy-based biodiesel annually,
making it the largest producer in the state.
The bill would require a 2 percent biofuel blend by 2010, increasing to
5 percent by 2013. Standard gasoline sold in Massachusetts currently
contains a 10 percent blend of ethanol.
Biodiesel is currently 17 cents cheaper, on average, than straight
diesel fuel, while bioheat blends cost about 2.5 cents more than
regular home heating oil.
Delahunt adamantly rejected the idea that blending biofuels into diesel
and heating oil will drive up the cost, arguing that crude oil prices
are rising at a much faster rate.
Patrick and Delahunt both said that they believe the biofuel blends
ultimately will be cheaper for consumers and will help reduce the
dependence on foreign oil.
The legislation also would curb carbon dioxide emissions by about 2.7
percent, or 1.1 million tons of carbon dioxide by 2014, according to
the Patrick administration.
"It's like changing all the light bulbs. Every bit has a small impact.
I would hope that we could become more aggressive, but I think it's a
good starting point," said Sen. Pamela Resor, D-Acton, vice chairwoman
of the special committee on global warming.
Although modest in its proportion, Patrick and others said the
legislation will be an important first step to encourage alternative
energy production and use, while creating a market for cellulosic
ethanol.
Since taking office, Patrick also has joined a multistate effort to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions and has signed an executive order
mandating higher energy efficiency standards in state-owned buildings.
"Two percent will have almost no impact on the cost, but what it does
is provide a huge spark for the industry," said Brooke Coleman,
president of the New Fuels Alliance and the author of the report used
to draft the legislation.
There are currently three biofuel refineries in the planning stages —
in Pittsfield, Greenfield and Quincy. A number of other companies, as
well as the University of Massachusetts, are doing research on
cellulosic ethanol.
Patrick said the tax incentive could create up to 3,000 new jobs in
research, development and farming, and pump $320 million into the
economy as the fuel is brought to market, which could take up to three
years.
Standard ethanol is produced mainly from corn in the United States in a process that requires large amounts of energy.
Cellulosic ethanol, however, can be produced from a variety of
biomaterials, including cornhusks and -stalks, switchgrass, soy, wood
chips, paper waste and cranberry bog by-products.
"This legislation will help the commonwealth by reducing our dependency
on foreign oil and, instead, thanks to Berkshire Biodiesel, invest that
money back into our own community," said state Rep. Christopher N.
Speranzo, D-Pittsfield.
The legislation also would create a biofuels task force charged with
studying and making recommendations on how to further promote the
growth and development of the biofuels industry in Massachusetts.
| At a glance: Berkshire Biodiesel |
| The $50 million
Pittsfield-based Berkshire Biodiesel plant, proposed in May, would be
the largest operation of its kind in the Northeast and one of the
largest in the country. Some facts about the project: The plant is being built at the 45,000-square-foot former Beloit structure at Ashuelot Park on Hubbard Avenue.
The first gallon of biodiesel fuel could be produced by October 2008,
and the plant could be up to full capacity of 50 million gallons per
year by the end of 2008.
The construction process will provide work for about 100 people. Once
operating, the plant will employ about 30 full-time workers, with a
ripple effect of creating 100 to 150 other jobs in the region. n The
raw material, mostly refined vegetable oil, will be brought in by rail,
and the end product will be shipped out by both rail and truck.
n A 2,500-foot rail access line is being constructed, and a total of
6,400 feet of rail will be newly constructed at the industrial park for
future businesses. |
