Senate Bill 157

Chair's Name: Lynn Smith

Committee: Natural Resources & Environment

Senate Sponsor: Ross Tolleson

House Sponsor: Lynn Smith

This bill received a Do Pass recommendation from the Natural Resources & Environment Committee and comes to the House Floor under the Open Rule. 

Chairman Smith�s opinion of this legislation:

WHAT PROBLEM/OPPORTUNITY DOES THIS LEGISLATION ADDRESS?

Currently, owners of E-85 (an ethanol/gasoline mixture composed of between 70-85% ethanol and between 30-15% gasoline that is used in alternative fuel vehicles) alternative fuel vehicles have very limited availability of E-85 at the pump; further, those who are considering the purchase of an E-85 alternative fuel vehicles may base their decision, in part, on the availability of fuel at the pump.  This bill facilitates and promotes the installation of E-85 motor fuel storage and dispensing equipment around the State of Georgia by establishing a grant program that would provide incentives of up to $20,000 or 33.3% of the planned cost of the project, whichever is less, to retail sales establishments to install such equipment.  The program would return a substantial benefit to the state by promoting the investment of private capital to install pumping equipment that would ultimately provide improved air quality through the reduction of combustion of gasoline in motor vehicles and reduced dependence on foreign petroleum supplies.  Finally, with two planned large ethanol production facilities coming to Georgia, this program would enable Georgians to utilize Georgia-produced ethanol.

WHAT IS THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND THIS LEGISLATION?

Limited availability of E-85 alternative fuel at the pump for use in alternative fuel vehicles; also, the need for increased air quality and reduced dependence on foreign oil.