Many states are surging ahead of North Carolina in the use and production of ethanol and biodiesel. However, an unprecedented number of bills related to alternative fuel/advanced transportation technologies have been introduced to the 2007 NC General Assembly. It is critical for you to contact state legislators about moving forward with alternative fuels and advanced transportation technologies so that North Carolina doesn't lag behind.

S567. Allow Distribution of E-Blend Fuel

Sponsor: Dalton

Allows E85 to be dispensed from dispensers approved for E-blend (E10 or greater) provided manufacturer has initiated process for approval by independent testing lab.
PASSED

S634/H557. NC GREEEN Act

Sponsor: Albertson

Appropriates $15M to set up grant program to spur biofuels production, distribution and use as well as other energy-related business incentives. ($1M in funds to Commerce Deparment for no-interest loans included in House Budget H1437.)
PASSED

S1149. Use Biodiesel on School Buses

Sponsor: Hoyle

S1272. Definition of Biodiesel

Sponsor: Snow

Changes definition of biodiesel from any fuel derived in whole or in part from agricultural products to the technical definition of biodiesel that meets ASTM industry standards.

S1273. Excise Tax Reduction for Biodiesel

Sponsor: Snow

Reduces excise tax on biodiesel $.04.

S1277. State Biodiesel Vehicles' Warranties

Sponsor: Snow

"Every new motor vehicle purchased by the State that is designed to operate on diesel fuel shall be covered by an express manufacturer's warranty that allows the use of B 20 fuel, as defined in G.S. 143 58.4. This section does not apply if the intended use, as determined by the agency, of the new motor vehicle requires a type of vehicle for which an express manufacturer's warranty allows the use of B 20 fuel is not available."
PASSED

S1278. Ethanol Tax Exemption

Sponsor: Snow

Eliminates ethanol excise tax for individual producer-users.

S1307. Low-Emission Vehicles Program/Funds

Sponsor: Clodfelter

S1313. Study State Cars Fueling at DOT Stations

Sponsor: Cowell

PASSED

S1451. Biodiesel Incentive Fund

Sponsor: Snow

Appropriates funds for NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services to establish grant program to pay biodiesel producers $ .30 per gallon up to 2.5M gallons and $.10 per gallon, thereafter, up to $1M per production facility.

S1452. Diesel School Buses to Use Minimum B20 Fuel

Sponsor: Snow

PASSED

H258/S540. Revenue Laws & Motor Fuels Tax Technical Changes.

Primary Sponsor: Wilkins

Section 20 removes requirement for $2,000 bond for small Biofuels producers. Currently many small biodiesel producers have a disincentive to report motor fuel tax on the biodiesel then use because of the $2,000 minimum bond requirement.
PASSED

H1486. Credit for Recycling Vegetable Oil

Sponsor: Tarlton

PASSED

H1912. School Bus Retrofits in Non-Attainment Areas

Sponsor: Samuelson

Establishes a grant program using federal CMAQ dollars (over $26M) to retrofit school buses to reduce particulate matter emission. Requires a 20% match with state funds. Currently a disproportionate amount of CMAQ funds are given back to the federal government by NCDOT through rescissions. (House budget includes $500,000 to support require state match.)
PASSED

H1990. Establish the NC Biofuels Center of NC/Funds

Sponsor: Crawford

Based on recommendations of NC Strategic Plan for Biofuels Leaders appropriates $5M to establish NC Biofuels Center in Oxford in cooperation with NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services.
PASSED

H2003. Biofuels Incentives

Sponsor: Harrison

Creates biodiesel discount allowance for biodiesel distributors equal to the tax times the percent biodiesel. Taxes E85 at 71% of motor fuels tax to take into consideration the lower BTU content of the fuel. Ethanol has less BTU content than gasoline, requiring more fuel to go the same distance as the same vehicle operating on gasoline. Biodiesel discount allowance is claimed monthly and funds will be transferred from General Revenue so as not to impact Highway Trust Fund.

H2047. Adjust Highway Use Tax Based on MPG Groupings

Sponsor: Leubke