03/09/06 Veto urged of biofuel mandate

Washington Ag March 9, 2006 Renewable fuel standard legislation cleared the Washington legislature this week. Senate Bill 6508 aims to encourage the development of a biofuels industry in the state by requiring a certain percentage of fuel sold in Washington contain biodiesel or ethanol. John Stuhlmiller of the staff of the Washington Farm Bureau says the requirement is two percent beginning in December of 2008. Stuhlmiller: "And then that also includes a trigger that brings in a five percent biodiesel standard if a minimum of three percent of that standard can be met with in-state feedstock and in-state crushing capacity. So that would come in at some uncertain time in the futures when that capacity is capable." If the standard, which is based on volume, is impractical or uneconomic, the governor can call it off. But some lawmakers want the governor to veto the time mandate. One is Republican Senator Joyce Mulliken of Moses Lake. She has written the governor requesting the veto. Mulliken says that while she and farmers are supportive of biofuels, they do not support time mandates. Opponents to the mandate are concerned there aren't enough incentives for farmers to grow the crops needed to make the mandate a reality and that it might cause even higher fuel prices for producers. I'm Bob Hoff.