SJR 2001 (LSB 5532SS (2) 85)

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 2001

BY  BEALL

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

A Joint Resolution urging the United States government to renew its commitment to farmers, lower fuel prices, and the environment by supporting a robust and sustainable renewable fuel standard, and including effective date provisions.

   WHEREAS, in accordance with the federal policy including the Energy Policy Act of 2005, Pub. L. No. 109-58, the United States government has demonstrated its commitment to the long-term policy of increasing the production of clean renewable fuels according to a renewable fuel standard commonly referred to as the RFS, by enabling the increased domestic production and use of renewable fuels, which include renewable biofuels such as ethanol, biodiesel, and cellulosic and advanced biofuels; and
   WHEREAS, the renewable fuel standard provides the foundation for reducing this nation’s dependence on foreign sources of oil, reducing the price of transportation fuels, reducing transportation fuel emissions, increasing rural incomes, encouraging the development and expansion of new advanced biofuels, and consequently promoting economic growth; and
   WHEREAS, the renewable fuel standard assists in bringing new technologies to farmers and consumers, and points the country in the direction of energy independence; and
   WHEREAS, international turmoil has repeatedly caused increased oil spikes and increased transportation costs for consumers, including increased costs attributable to the transportation of food and other goods; and
   WHEREAS, biofuels reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and
   WHEREAS, Iowa’s biofuels industry has added over eight billion dollars to Iowa’s economy and generated two billion dollars in new household income; and
   WHEREAS, approximately ninety thousand Iowa farmers support their families and reinvigorate rural communities through innovative and high-tech agricultural production; and
   WHEREAS, the United States environmental protection agency is responsible for establishing and implementing the renewable fuel standard, including the requirement that certain volumes of various types of biofuels be blended in transportation fuels each year; and
   WHEREAS, the United States environmental protection agency recently proposed reducing the volume levels of ethanol and biodiesel in the renewable fuel standard, in direct conflict with the statute; and
   WHEREAS, the United States environmental protection agency’s proposal is estimated to cause the loss of thirty-seven thousand four hundred ethanol-related jobs and the loss of seven thousand five hundred biodiesel-related jobs; and
   WHEREAS, the United States environmental protection agency’s proposal will cause a reduction in the price of corn below the cost of production with a negative economic impact on Midwest farm families, agribusinesses, and rural communities; and
   WHEREAS, the United States environmental protection agency’s proposal will cause a substantial reduction in the long-term investment in biofuels infrastructure and a reduction in investments in further energy innovation for ethanol, biodiesel, advanced biofuels, and cellulosic biofuels; NOW THEREFORE,

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  The United States government is urged to renew its commitment to farmers, lower fuel prices, and the environment by supporting a robust and sustainable renewable fuel standard and to use all efforts to meet the highest possible renewable fuel volume requirements set forth in the current renewable fuel standard in order to ensure that this nation diversifies its energy portfolio.
    Sec. 2.  The Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives shall deliver copies of this joint resolution to the Honorable Barack Obama, President of the United States, to the Honorable Gina McCarthy, Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, to the Honorable Tom Vilsack, Secretary of Agriculture of the United States, and to each member of Iowa’s congressional delegation.
    Sec. 3.  This Joint Resolution, being deemed of immediate importance, takes effect upon enactment.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with

the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This joint resolution urges the United States government to renew its commitment to farmers, lower fuel prices, and the environment by supporting a robust and sustainable renewable fuel standard (RFS) and use all efforts to meet the highest possible renewable fuel volume requirements set forth in the current RFS in order to ensure that this nation diversifies its energy portfolio.
   The joint resolution takes effect upon enactment, which takes place after passage of the joint resolution by both houses of the Iowa general assembly and upon approval by the governor of the state of Iowa.