Bill Positions

Bill Number: SB 569

Bill Title: Biomass and Biofuels - In-State Production Incentives

Bill Sponsor(s): Sen. Middleton, et al

Subject: Environment & Energy

Committee: FIN

Bill Summary: This bill would have altered provisions relating to net energy metering to allow eligible customer generators generating electricity from cellulosic feedstock to recover accrued generation credit for electricity fed back to the grid. It would have prohibited a person from selling or offering for sale diesel fuel in the State more than 1 year after the in-State production levels of cellulosic biofuel and biodiesel reach specified levels unless the diesel fuel contains a specified percentage of biodiesel.

History: In 2009 this bill passed the Senate, but died in the House ECM Committee. In 2010 this bill died in the House ECM Committee.

Chamber Position: Oppose

Position Summary: The Maryland Chamber supports the use of alternative fuels, including Biodiesel. However, a state mandate for Biodiesel or other motor fuels undermines the flexibility that Congress intended in enacting the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and the Energy Independence & Security Act of 2007 and would have created another boutique fuel that would have cost Maryland Consumers more money. For these reasons, the Maryland Chamber opposed this bill.

Position Statement: To view the Chamber's complete position statement, click here (pdf).

Chamber Staff: Allyson Black

General Assembly: Click here to view the bill on the Maryland General Assembly's website.