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House Approves Energy, Climate Bill With Tax Breaks For Hybrids
By Mr Ethanol | April 25, 2007
The Ledger:
The first $10,000 on the purchase of a hybrid or alternative fuel vehicle would be exempt from sales taxes during the next three Octobers, and ethanol and biodiesel could become more prevalent at Florida gas stations, under a wide-ranging energy plan the state House passed Wednesday.
The bill (HB 7123) seeks to bring Florida out of lackluster ranks nationally by promoting renewable energies, reducing the state’s energy consumption and chipping away at the amount of carbon emissions spewed into the air.
It must now be aligned with a plan in the Senate that currently only contains a two-week sales tax holiday on energy efficient items in October. The Senate has said it will build its energy plan (SB 996) up during negotiations with the House over the final days of the legislative session that ends May 4.
The combination of fluctuating gas prices, national security concerns and the most ardent scientific consensus yet on humans’ effect on global warming have given energy a new place in the Capitol.
“The more green and energy efficient the state of Florida can become, the more patriotic we can be about our state, our country, producing its own energy so we’re not dependent on people who would like to hit us with the price or just hit us in general,” said Rep. Bob Allen, a Merritt Island Republican who is chairman of the House Energy Committee.
The House bill, which passed with a 116-0 vote, provides tax incentives for individuals - such as the tax break on alternative fuel vehicles and an expanded, two-week tax holiday on energy efficient appliances in October - with incentives for businesses involved in the production and distribution of biofuels.
One aspect attempts to spur the state into action on the production of cellulosic ethanol, which is produced when advanced enzymes break down yard waste, citrus waste and other everyday materials. Scientists testified during committee meetings this year that Florida is well-positioned to produce large quantities of ethanol using this method.
Studies have shown that cellulosic ethanol produces significantly more energy than is required to make it, and has considerably lower carbon dioxide emissions when burned than gasoline - although it has less energy than gasoline. The bill would create a demonstration cellulosic ethanol plant with the University of Florida.
Ethanol of all types, including the corn-based variety becoming more prevalent in the Midwest, can be blended at low levels with gasoline for use in all vehicles, while specially modified vehicles can run exclusively on ethanol or a very high blend.
The bill calls for an inventory of greenhouse gas emissions and a study to determine an appropriate renewable portfolio standard for the state. Such a portfolio would mandate a certain percentage of electricity be produced in the state using renewable energy instead of coal, natural gas and petroleum, currently the dominant fuels.
The House made a decision to use incentives to speed up the development of biofuels instead of mandates - which over 20 states currently have.
“Before you can mandate the use of energy efficiency, you’ve got to start producing it,” Allen said.
The bill also requires local government buildings, including community colleges, as well as state government buildings to be constructed according to stringent green building standards.
Topics: Cars, Legislative, News, Tax |
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