Ethanol and Biodiesel Incentives – Missouri

In 2002, Missouri enacted two incentive programs that will promote in-state, cooperatively-owned biofuels production. Targeted at increasing homegrown production of ethanol and biodiesel, the five year incentive programs provide grants to producers that are at least fifty-one percent owned by agricultural producers actively engaged in agricultural production for commercial purposes in the state. Ethanol incentives include a payment of 20 cents per gallon for the first 12.5 million gallons and 5 cents per gallon for the next 12.5 million gallons. Biodiesel incentives are 30 cents per gallon for up to 15 million gallons of production.… Read More

Biodiesel Mandate – Minnesota

In March 2002, Minnesota enacted the nation’s first biodiesel mandate that would require nearly all diesel fuel sold in the state contain at least 2 percent biodiesel by 2005 (earlier if certain conditions are met). Biodiesel is a fuel additive derived from animal fats or plant oil, typically soybeans. Proponents of the biodiesel requirement argue it would be a boon for the state’s farmers and improve the state’s use of alternative fuels. The new law isn’t perfect but a good model for other state’s to work from. The law could be strengthened by adding a provision to require the mandate to be met through biodiesel production from farmer-owned cooperatives.… Read More

Missouri Incentives for Schools to Buy Biodiesel from Cooperatives

In 2001 the state of Missouri passed a new law that gives school districts an incentive to purchase biodiesel fuel for their bus fleets. The law begins with the 2002-03 school year and lasts through the 2005-06 school year. Any school district may contract with an eligible new generation cooperative to purchase biodiesel fuel for its buses of a minimum of B-20 (20 percent biodiesel). The state will then reimburse the school district so that the net price to the contracting district for biodiesel will not exceed the rack price of regular diesel.… Read More

Bio-Based Products Purchasing – Michigan

A Michigan House resolution (HCR34) passed in 1999 "urges state government agencies to use bio-based products as a source of oil and diesel fuel whenever possible."

Crop researchers in the state have estimated that farmers in the cooperative could see profits of 20-30 percent by growing and processing soybeans collectively, rather than the typical 5 percent return they receive by selling crops at the grain elevator.… Read More

Ban on Flame Retardants (PBDEs) – Washington

The Washington State Legislature passed the nation’s first ban on all forms of the toxic flame retardants known as PBDEs.  The legislation banned the use of the penta and octa forms of PBDEs, with limited exceptions, by 2008. It banned the use of the deca form in mattresses by 2008 and it bans the use of the deca form in televisions, computers, and residential upholstered furniture by 2011, as long as a safer, reasonable, and effective alternative has been identified by the state departments of Ecology and Health and approved by fire safety officials.… Read More

Tax-Base Sharing

The drive for increased property tax revenue, and in some cases sales tax revenue, can lead local governments to make land use decisions that conflict with other planning and economic development goals. A community might reject much needed affordable housing in favor of expensive homes, for example, or forego office buildings with high-paying jobs in favor of big box retail stores with low-wage jobs, in anticipation of generating more tax revenue with a comparatively smaller burden on public services.… Read More

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