New York Proposes Legislation to Allow Access to Renewable Fuels
Jefferson City, MO - New York Governor George E. Pataki
announced legislation that will make E85 more readily
available for the almost 200,000 flexible fuel vehicles in his state.
"One of the key strategies to reduce our dependence on
imported energy is to diversify our fuel supplies, and
we can do that by making renewable fuels more readily
available to all New Yorkers," Governor Pataki said.
"To achieve this, we must end the use of exclusivity
agreements between fuel providers and service stations
that prevent motorists from having access to renewable fuels."
These contracts do not allow many retailers to sell any
fuels except those branded under the fuel provider. E85
is not branded by fuel providers and thus is unable to
be sold at many locations throughout New York. The state
of Iowa has recently enacted similar legislation and is
now allowing E85 and biodiesel to be sold at many more
public fueling stations.
"We are pleased to see Governor Pataki provide such a strong
support for this renewable fuel," said Phil Lampert,
Executive Director of the NEVC. "At this time, there
are no E85 locations that can be accessed by the public.
This bill will ensure that the public availability of
E85 is more widespread."
In his State of the State Address and his Executive Budget
proposal, the Governor asked the state to rely more on
energy independence and less on foreign crude. His plan
also calls to produce more renewable products in the
state. New York's proposed budget includes a renewable
fuel production tax credit that will assist in this.
Governor Pataki added, "Renewable fuels are produced here
in the United State, and are a clean, sustainable
alternative to petroleum. We have delayed too long
in developing and utilizing renewable fuels, and I
will continue to push for initiatives to increase
renewable fuel production and usage so that we have
an affordable option to imported energy."
New York has six E85 fueling locations in the state, all
of which are only accessible by governmental fleets.
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