LANSING – A package of alternative fuel legislation cleared the House Thursday, with members of both parties saying the bills are a critical first step in relieving dependence on oil.
The legislation will provide renaissance zone tax credits for alternative energy facilities (HB 5752), grants for fueling stations to convert pumping stations to alternative fueling centers (HB 5754) and a tax discount on E85 (85 percent ethanol-based fuel) and biodiesel (HB 5751).
While Democrats had tried to amend the bills on Wednesday to require that all gasoline be made up of 10 percent ethanol and that all diesel be made up of 5 percent biodiesel, those amendments failed.
However, on Thursday, Rep. Jeff Mayes (D-Bay City), sponsor of HB 5181, which creates a research commission to promote alternative fueling, said that the package will still support the state’s second largest industry – agriculture.
And Rep. Neal Nitz (R-Baroda), sponsor of HB 5754, said that putting mandates on fuel has not worked in the past and that the package, three years in the making, provides for incentives to alternative fuels instead.
The bills were passed on the following votes: HB 5181 (96-8); HB 5751 (103-0); HB 5752 (104-0); HB 5754 (97-6) and HB 5755 (102-0).
The last bill to be voted on in the package, HB 5753, which would require state fleet vehicles to use alternative fuels, was postponed for the day after a long debate on what the bill sponsor, Rep. Gabe Leland (D-Detroit), would be bringing for treats – a tradition when a representative has their first bill approved by the chamber.
Leland offered to bring in beans and bread to symbolize the “Live Green, Go Yellow” campaign by General Motors. But the idea was debunked by his colleagues, and brought Mr. Nitz to the podium to chide: “I wasn’t cheap when I gave you one of my bills, so I would hope you wouldn’t be cheap (in the food selection).”
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