Complete Story
05/26/2005
OSA and OCGA Leadership Testifies in Support of Biofuels Legislation
Contact:
Jamie Mossbarger, Director of Legislative Affairs, OSA, 614-476-3100
Tadd Nicholson, Programs Director, OCGA, 740-382-0483
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 26, 2005
COLUMBUS, OH - The Ohio Soybean Association (OSA) and The Ohio Corn Growers Association (OCGA) have come together in a collaborative effort to support legislation that will increase the use of Biodiesel and Ethanol two environmentally friendly fuels made from soybeans and corn, respectively.
The biofuels legislation, Substitute House Bill 245 (Sub. H.B. 245), sponsored by Rep. Steve Reinhard (R-Bucyrus), received testimony yesterday before the House Transportation, Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee.
Representing Ohio's corn and soybean farmers, OSA President Rob Joslin (Shelby County) and OCGA President Keith Houts (Mercer County), testified before the committee and asked for favorable consideration of the legislation that will not only strengthen Ohio farmers' bottom-line but will sustain Ohio's number one industry agriculture and strengthen the state's economy.
Joslin and Houts stated that Sub. H.B. 245 will provide a tremendous boost to availability and use of biodiesel and E85 (a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline), making, within a few years, biodiesel and E85 real choices, not just for government fleets, but nearly all consumers statewide.
"The Biofuels Bill is extremely important to anyone wanting to see a stronger ethanol and biodiesel market in Ohio" said Houts. "We can promote ethanol and biodiesel all we want, but if it's not available to consumers, they can't use it."
The bill will create state grants to support development of refueling facilities, including those for publicly accessible retail, fuel terminal and distributor equipment. It will also provide grants to cover most of the remaining incremental cost of the fuel for government-related fleets such as school districts. And the state of Ohio would be required to use minimum percentages of biodiesel and E85 in existing state vehicles.
"It only makes sense to enact Substitute House Bill 245," said Joslin. "This bill will increase biodiesel and ethanol infrastructure, retail locations and distributors throughout the state, while supporting Ohio agriculture, encouraging job creation and economic development. All the while, promoting a cleaner environment and lessening our dependence on foreign oil."
The Central Ohio Clean Fuels coalition has been instrumental in its support for this legislation and worked with OSA and OCGA in drafting the bill. The Ohio Farm Bureau Federation lends its support for the bill and plans to testify during the next committee meeting on June 1, 2005.
A companion bill is expected to be introduced in the Senate by Sen. Larry Mumper (R-Marion) sometime in the near future. This action is expected to speed the process and lead to earlier resolution of this important bill.
The Ohio Soybean Association and the Ohio Corn Growers Association, governed by each organizations' respective volunteer farmer boards, are dedicated to education and promotion, as well as to uniting producer interest through support of legislative activities beneficial to the Ohio corn and soybean industries.
