Durbin Praises Illinois Lawmakers for Passing State Renewable Fuels Standard

DURBIN PRAISES ILLINOIS LAWMAKERS FOR PASSING STATE RENEWABLE FUELS STANDARD

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) today praised Illinois legislators for approving a "tough and responsible" statewide standard for renewable fuels. The Illinois Renewable Fuels Standard bill (SB 2236), which was approved by the Illinois State Senate, will boost ethanol and biodiesel use and production while creating several new programs aimed to accelerate research, investment, and industry expansion.

"Illinois farmers stand ready and willing to contribute to America's energy security and independence. Replacing Mideast oil with Midwest ethanol is a winner for everyone but the oil sheiks," said Durbin. "When we can use our state's agricultural expertise to reduce our dependence on foreign suppliers, Illinois farmers win and the whole nation benefits."

Durbin also praised the sponsors and key supporters in the State Senate, Senator Deanna Demuzio, D-Carlinville; Senator John Sullivan, D-Rushville; John O. Jones, R-Chicago; and Todd Sieben, R-Geneseo, saying that without their leadership the bill would never have made it through the Senate.

The Illinois Renewable Fuels Standards bill, which now goes to the House for action, would provide $25 million annually over the next two years for everything from ethanol plant expansion and construction to research initiatives at local research institutes. The bill would also establish that by 2008, a minimum of 10 percent of all gasoline used in Illinois be ethanol, with a goal of expanding this to 15 percent by 2012. Finally, it would reduce the current State Sales Tax Incentive for ethanol from its current rate of 20% of the state sales tax to 10% in July and phase it out in 2015.

Durbin noted that this legislative success comes on the heels of the recently-passed U.S. House-Senate Energy bill which included the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS), a provision that creates a nationwide standard for the use of domestically-produced renewable fuels, like ethanol, and increases the use of those fuels to 7.5 billion gallons by 2012.

"Illinois farmers stand ready and willing to contribute to our nation's energy security and independence; I strongly urge the Illinois House to adopt this measure," said Durbin.

http://durbin.senate.gov/record.cfm?id=252004&&