Bill Text: NJ S561 | 2010-2011 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Establishes Task Force on the Production and Use of Cellulosic Biofuels.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2010-01-12 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Transportation Committee [S561 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2010-S561-Introduced.html
SENATE, No. 561
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
214th LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2010 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Senator SANDRA B. CUNNINGHAM
District 31 (Hudson)
SYNOPSIS
Establishes Task Force on the Production and Use of Cellulosic Biofuels.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel
An Act establishing the Task Force on the Production and Use of Cellulosic Biofuels.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. As used in this act:
"Cellulosic biofuels" means any fuel, derived from non-food based feedstock that yields a lifecycle reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of at least 50 percent compared to fossil fuels, and that may be used in place of petroleum-based fuel as derived from cellulose, hemicelluloses, or lignin derived from renewable biomass.
"Renewable biomass" means and includes non-fossil fuel based material, including, but not limited to, planted crops, crop residues, planted trees and tree residues from sustainably managed forests, waster materials including animal waste, animal by-products, organic portions of municipal solid waste, grease trap waste, construction and demolition debris, and algae, or as otherwise determined by the Department of Environmental Protection.
2. a. There is established a Task Force on the Production and Use of Cellulosic Biofuels. It shall be the duty of the task force to study and evaluate the efficacy, practicality, and feasibility of the production and use of advanced biofuels in the State of New Jersey, specifically the production and use of cellulosic biofuels.
b. The task force shall examine and evaluate:
(1) the development of advanced biofuels, specifically, the feasibility of making cellulosic biofuels production economically viable and sustainable in New Jersey;
(2) the current availability and utilization of cellulosic biofuels technology;
(3) any projected mitigation and reduction in carbon emissions and other greenhouse gases from the production and use of cellulosic biofuels;
(4) any land use issues associated with the production and use of cellulosic biofuels, including, but not limited to, soil and water quality;
(5) the impact on the agricultural industry in New Jersey;
(6) any anticipated economic effect on the motor fuels and home heating fuels markets associated with production and use of cellulosic biofuels, including the projected costs to be borne by consumers;
(7) the projected financial impact that a motor fuels tax exemption on cellulosic biofuels will have on transportation capital financing in this State;
(8) incentives to create and expand the biofuels industry in New Jersey, including, but not limited to, tax incentives;
(9) federal law and regulations affecting the cellulosic biofuels industry;
(10) the development and growth of the cellulosic biofuels industry in other states, such as Massachusetts; and
(11) any other information deemed relevant to this report.
3. a. The task force shall consist of 13 members as follows:
(1) The Commissioner of Environmental Protection, ex officio, or the commissioner's designated representative;
(2) The Commissioner of Transportation, ex officio, or the commissioner's designated representative;
(3) The State Treasurer, ex officio, or the treasurer's designated representative;
(4) The President of the Board of Public Utilities, ex officio, or the president's designated representative;
(5) Two members of the General Assembly, one member to be appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly and one member to be appointed by the Minority Leader of the General Assembly;
(6) Two members of the Senate, one member appointed by the President of the Senate and one member to be appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate;
(7) Two members of the public to be appointed by the Governor upon recommendation of the Speaker of the General Assembly: one of whom shall be a representative of the advanced biofuels industry, and one of whom shall have knowledge and expertise in agriculture issues;
(8) Two members of the public to be appointed by the Governor upon the recommendation of the President of the Senate: one of whom shall be a representative of the petroleum industry, and one of whom shall be a faculty member at a State university or college with expertise in advanced biofuels and its associated technology; and
(9) One member of the public to be appointed by the Governor who shall be a representative of a recognized Statewide environmental organization.
b. All appointments to the task force shall be made within 30 days after the effective date of this act.
c. The task force shall organize within 30 days after all appointments to the task force shall have been made and shall select a chairperson and vice-chairperson from among its members. The chairperson shall appoint a secretary who need not be a member of the task force.
d. No more than seven members of the task force shall be of the same political party. Vacancies in the membership of the commission shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments.
e. The members of the task force shall serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties, within the limits of funds appropriated or otherwise made available to the task force for its purpose.
f. The task force shall be entitled to the assistance and service of the employees of any State, county, or municipal department, board, bureau, commission, authority, or agency as it may require and as may be available to it for its purposes, and to employ stenographic and clerical assistance and to incur traveling or other miscellaneous expenses as may be necessary in order to perform its duties, within the limits of funds appropriated or otherwise made available to it for its purposes.
g. The task force shall meet monthly or at the call of the chairperson of the task force or when requested by any four members of the task force.
4. The task force shall present to the Governor and, pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), the Legislature an interim report of its activities no later than six months after the initial meeting of the task force and a final report of its findings and recommendations, along with any legislative bills that it desires to recommend for adoption by the Legislature, no later than 12 months after the initial meeting of the task force.
5. This act shall take effect immediately and the task force shall expire upon the 30th day after the issuance of its final report.
STATEMENT
This bill would create the Task Force on the Production and Use of Cellulosic Biofuels ("the task force") to study and evaluate the efficacy, practicality, and feasibility of the production and use of advanced biofuels in the State of New Jersey, specifically the production and use of cellulosic biofuels. Cellulosic biofuels are fuels that may be substituted for petroleum-based fuel and are derived from renewable organic matter, such as agricultural wastes and forest products rather than corn.
This bill directs the task force to examine and evaluate: the development of advanced biofuels, specifically, the feasibility of making cellulosic biofuels production economically viable and sustainable in New Jersey; the current availability and utilization of cellulosic biofuels technology; projected mitigation and reduction in carbon emissions and other greenhouse gases from the production and use of cellulosic biofuels; land use issues associated with the production and use of cellulosic biofuels, including, but not limited to, soil and water quality; the impact on the agricultural industry in New Jersey; anticipated economic effects on the motor fuels and home heating fuels markets, including the projected costs to be borne by consumers, associated with production and use of cellulosic biofuels; projected financial impacts that a motor fuels tax exemption on cellulosic biofuels will have on transportation capital financing in this State; incentives to create and expand the biofuels industry in New Jersey, including, but not limited to, tax incentives; federal law and regulations affecting the cellulosic biofuels industry; the development and growth of the cellulosic biofuels industry in other states, such as Massachusetts; and any other information deemed relevant to the report.
The membership of the task force is to include: the Commissioners of Environmental Protection and Transportation, the State Treasurer, and the President of the Board of Public Utilities, or their designees, as ex officio members; two members of the General Assembly, one member to be appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly and one member to be appointed by the Minority Leader of the General Assembly; two members of the Senate, one member to be appointed by the President of the Senate and one member to be appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate; two public members to be appointed by the Governor upon recommendation of Speaker of the General Assembly, one of whom shall be a representative of the advanced biofuels industry, and one of whom shall have knowledge and expertise in agriculture issues; two public members to be appointed by the Governor upon the recommendation of the President of the Senate, one of whom shall be a representative of the petroleum industry, and one of whom shall be a faculty member at a State university or college with expertise in advanced biofuels and its associated technology; and one public member to be appointed by the Governor who shall be a representative of a recognized Statewide environmental organization.
The task force is to submit to the Governor and the Legislature an interim report of its activities no later than six months after the initial meeting of the task force and shall submit a final report of its findings and recommendations, along with any legislative bills that it desires to recommend for adoption by the Legislature, no later than 12 months after the initial meeting of the task force. The task force shall dissolve on the 30th day after the issuance of its final report.
