United States Congressman Brian Bilbray has introduced legislation that should please those engaged in the research and development of algae-based biofuels. The bill, H.R. 3460, was introduced on July 31, 2009 and currently has eight cosponsors—all lawmakers from Western states like Bilbray, who is from California.As Katie Howell reports for Greenwire.com, and published on the New York Times website, the legislation would amend the Clean Air Act and incentivize the research and development of algae-based biofuels as a legitimate renewable energy source. Bilbray’s legislation would provide a tax-credit for algae-derived fuel producers and it would include algae-based biofuels in the cellulosic biofuels requirement in the national renewable fuel standard (RFS).
The bill could become redundant if the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) were to include algae-based biofuels in the final rule for the RFS. The RFS aims to produce and blend 21 billion gallons of renewable fuels from non-food sources by the year 2022. However, since the technology is not to the point where algae-based biofuels can be produced on a commerical scale the EPA might hold off on including it in the rule. To read Howell’s article click here.
H.R. 3460 should be good news to Exxon-Mobil. The oil company is currently invested in research and development of this fuel source because of its potential. To read a previous post on Exxon’s investment click here.
Posted: 08/04/09
