SB-1128, As Passed Senate, April 17, 2008
February 19, 2008, Introduced by Senators RICHARDVILLE, GLEASON, JELINEK, BIRKHOLZ, BARCIA, VAN WOERKOM, CROPSEY and HARDIMAN and referred to the Committee on Agriculture.
A bill to provide for the publication of certain information
regarding the establishing of alternative fuels facilities in this
state; to provide for certain powers and duties for certain state
agencies; and to make available to the public certain information.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:
Sec. 1. As used in this act:
(a) "Alternative fuel" means a fuel composed of biomass or
another fuel that does not have petroleum as a base or a blend of a
nonpetroleum-based fuel and a petroleum-based fuel. Alternative
fuel may include, but is not limited to, biodiesel and ethanol.
(b) "Biodiesel" means a fuel composed of mono-alkyl esters of
long chain fatty acids derived from vegetable oils or animal fats
and, in accordance with standards specified by the American society
for testing and materials, designated B100, and meeting the
requirements of D-6751, as approved by the department.
(c) "Biomass fuel" means a fuel made from plant material,
vegetation, or agricultural waste.
(d) "Department" means the Michigan department of agriculture.
(e) "Ethanol" means a substance that meets the American
society for testing and materials standard in effect on the
effective date of this act as the D-4806 specification for
denatured fuel grade ethanol for blending with gasoline.
Sec. 2. (1) The department shall do the following:
(a) Review and study all information available within any
agency or department of state government to determine the body of
relevant information regarding the establishing in this state of a
production facility for an alternative fuel.
(b) Compile, in written or electronic format, information in a
concise and readable form regarding the procedures for preparing
and executing applications and approvals necessary for the
establishing of a production facility for alternative fuels.
(c) Publish and make available to the public, in written or
electronic format, the information described in subdivision (b) in
separate categories for biodiesel fuel, ethanol, and other
categories of alternative fuels.
(2) As part of the function described in subsection (1), the
department shall specifically indicate procedures and processes
that are housed in the department of environmental quality, the
department of labor and economic growth, and the Michigan economic
development corporation.
(3) The department may identify mechanisms that promote
effective communication and coordination of efforts between this
state and local governments, private industry, and institutions of
higher education concerning the investigation, research into, and
promotion of alternative fuels.
(4) The department may also review any state regulation that
may hinder the use, research, and development of alternative fuels
and vehicles that are able to utilize them and recommend changes to
the governor and to the legislature.
Sec. 3. Except as otherwise provided by law and so far as
compatible with other duties, the department of environmental
quality, the department of labor and economic growth, and the
Michigan economic development corporation shall give the department
any necessary assistance requested by the department for the
fulfillment of its duties under this act.