Bill Text: PA HB110 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Requiring the use of biodiesel by Commonwealth-owned vehicles; and providing for the powers and duties of the Department of General Services.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 19-7)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2009-01-30 - Referred to ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY [HB110 Detail]

Download: Pennsylvania-2009-HB110-Introduced.html

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PRINTER'S NO. 107
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 110 Session of2009
INTRODUCED BY PERRY, BEYER, CLYMER, CONKLIN, CUTLER, DePASQUALE, GEIST, GIBBONS, GRELL, GROVE, HELM, HORNAMAN, M. KELLER, W. KELLER, KORTZ, MICCARELLI, MILLER, PEIFER, SCAVELLO, SIPTROTH, SWANGER, VULAKOVICH, WATSON AND QUINN, JANUARY 30, 2009
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY, JANUARY 30, 2009
AN ACT
Requiring the use of biodiesel by Commonwealth-owned vehicles;
and providing for the powers and duties of the Department of
General Services.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Short title.
This act shall be known and may be cited as the State Fleet
Biodiesel Fuel Act.
Section 2. Purpose.
The General Assembly declares the purposes of this act are as
follows:
(1) The Commonwealth should lead by example in adopting,
implementing and promoting alternative energy sources and in
using renewable, locally produced biofuels.
(2) The Commonwealth is a large business enterprise and
a significant consumer of energy, including transportation
fuels in which the expense of this energy represents a
substantial operating cost for State government.
(3) The increased investment in alternative
transportation fuels by the Commonwealth will result in lower
operating costs for State government, which will result in
savings for all Pennsylvania taxpayers.
Section 3. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Biodiesel." A renewable, biodegradable, mono alkyl ester
combustible liquid fuel that meets American Society for Testing
and Materials Specification D6751 or Standard Specification for
Biodiesel Fuel Blend Stock (B100) for Middle Distillate Fuels,
or their successor.
"Bulk central fueling facility." A noncommercial fueling
facility that has, as its primary purpose, the fueling of
vehicles owned and operated by the Commonwealth.
"Department." The Department of General Services of the
Commonwealth.
"Qualified biodiesel producer." A producer of biodiesel that
has, as its principal place of business, a facility for
production of biodiesel fuel in this Commonwealth and is at
least 51% owned or operated by persons with a permanent
residence in this Commonwealth.
Section 4. Required use of biodiesel by Commonwealth-owned
vehicles.
(a) Volume standards.--The following standards shall apply:
(1) Beginning July 1, 2010, a diesel-powered vehicle
owned or operated by an agency under the Governor's
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jurisdiction or of an independent agency when refueling at a
bulk central fueling facility shall use a diesel blend that
consists of 5% biodiesel by volume.
(2) Beginning July 1, 2012, a diesel-powered vehicle
owned or operated by an agency under the Governor's
jurisdiction or of an independent agency when refueling at a
bulk central fueling facility shall use a diesel blend that
consists of 10% biodiesel by volume.
(3) Beginning July 1, 2014, a diesel-powered vehicle
owned or operated by an agency under the Governor's
jurisdiction or of an independent agency when refueling at a
bulk central fueling facility shall use a diesel blend that
consists of 15% biodiesel by volume.
(4) Beginning July 1, 2016, a diesel-powered vehicle
owned or operated by an agency under the Governor's
jurisdiction or of an independent agency when refueling at a
bulk central fueling facility shall use a diesel blend that
consists of 20% biodiesel by volume.
(b) Source of biodiesel.--The biodiesel used in the diesel
blend shall be from a qualified biodiesel producer.
(c) Exception.--The requirements of subsection (a) shall not
apply to aviation fuel or where prohibited by law.
(d) Manufacturer's warranty.--The requirements of subsection
(a) shall not apply to a vehicle owned or operated by an agency
under the Governor's jurisdiction or of an independent agency
for which mechanical failure due to the use of biodiesel will
void the manufacturer's warranty for that vehicle.
Section 5. Procurement standards.
The department shall develop procurement methods to ensure
that all diesel fuel purchased for use by Commonwealth-owned
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vehicles contains the percentages of biodiesel required under
section 4.
Section 6. Reporting.
The department shall provide an annual report to the chairman
and minority chairman of the Environmental Resources and Energy
Committee of the Senate and the chairman and minority chairman
of the Environmental Resources and Energy Committee of the House
of Representatives. This report shall:
(1) Describe the overall amount of biodiesel procured.
(2) Describe the amounts utilized by agencies under the
Governor's jurisdiction and independent agencies.
(3) Provide a listing of the suppliers and the amounts
of biodiesel supplied to the Commonwealth.
Section 7. Effective date.
This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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