Wisconsin Ag Connection - Domestic Biofuels Study Committee Kicks Off Fact-Finding Mission

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Domestic Biofuels Study Committee Kicks Off Fact-Finding Mission
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 08/22/2008

A legislative committee on domestic biofuels held its first meeting in Madison this week to discuss the role biofuels should play in Wisconsin's energy policy. The panel, which is made up of state lawmakers, industry experts, environmental leaders, and scientists, was directed to study the economic and environmental impact of biofuels and recommend state policies reflecting these findings.

During Tuesday's meeting, the group heard testimony from speakers such as Gary Radloff, Wisconsin Department of Agriculture; R. Brooke Coleman, New Fuels Alliance; Judy Ziewacz, Wisconsin Office of Energy Independence; and Tim Donohue, Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center at the University of Wisconsin Madison. Committee members also discussed several reports summarizing Wisconsin's energy use and biofuels industry.

"This meeting was the perfect way to begin this rounded discussion of biofuels in Wisconsin, as we heard from industry leaders about the current state of biofuel technology as well as the environmental and economic impact these fuels are having across the nation," said Senator Pat Kreitlow of Chippewa Falls, one of the committee's leaders. "These speakers also provided us with perspective on the infrastructure and market Wisconsin has already established for biofuel production and the role that government and industry leaders have played in this development."

Committee Co-Chairman Rep. Scott Suder of Abbotsford said any information on the current state of the biofuels industry will need to capitalize on the promise and address the challenges of the emerging bio-industry.

"I'm confident that over the next several months this committee will develop an achievable energy policy that will lead to a better, cleaner, and more energy independent future for our entire state," Suder said.

The materials and the information presented by the speakers will provide background for the committee to begin looking at the ways in which Wisconsin policy should shape investment, regulation, and use of renewable fuels in Wisconsin, and the committee is expected to produce a formal recommendation to the legislature at the conclusion of its study.

The committee is scheduled to meet again on September 16.

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