08 LC 25
5265S
The
House Committee on Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications offers the following
substitute to HR 1607:
A
RESOLUTION
To
create the House Biodiesel Fuel Study Committee; and for other
purposes.
WHEREAS,
increased production and use of biodiesel fuel in this state could position
Georgia to be a leader among the southern states by incorporating biodiesel into
existing petroleum fuel supplies; and
WHEREAS,
increased production of biodiesel fuel in this state can help Georgia´s
economy by adding jobs in various sectors, including farming, production,
distribution, and retail sales; and
WHEREAS,
production of biodiesel fuel in this state can move Georgia forward on a path of
success in embracing alternative fuel usage; and
WHEREAS,
biodiesel fuel can be used in any diesel engine today without modification;
and
WHEREAS,
use of biodiesel fuel extends fossil diesel fuel supply by four-fold for every
gallon replaced by biodiesel; and
WHEREAS,
use of biodiesel fuel helps increase our national and state security by
lessening our dependence on foreign oil; and
WHEREAS,
use of biodiesel fuel can improve air quality and reduce atmospheric degradation
by reducing harmful emissions and particulate matter such as carbon and soot;
and
WHEREAS,
use of biodiesel fuels can decrease the number of counties declared under or
facing nonattainment status for purposes of the federal Clean Air Act;
and
WHEREAS,
a minimal 1 percent biodiesel blend can improve lubricity of diesel fuel by 65
percent; and
WHEREAS,
biodiesel fuel provides superior lubricity benefits at even low levels, thus
reducing equipment wear and premature breakdown.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that there is created
the House Biodiesel Fuel Study Committee to be composed of five members of the
House of Representatives to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of
Representatives. The Speaker shall designate a member of the committee as
chairperson of the committee. The chairperson shall call all meetings of the
committee.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the committee shall undertake a study of the
conditions, needs, and issues mentioned above or related thereto and recommend
any action or legislation which the committee deems necessary or appropriate to
provide incentives to promote the use of biodiesel fuels. The committee may
conduct such meetings at such places and at such times as it may deem necessary
or convenient to enable it to exercise fully and effectively its powers, perform
its duties, and accomplish the objectives and purposes of this resolution. The
members of the committee shall receive the allowances provided for in Code
Section 28-1-8 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated. The allowances
authorized by this resolution shall not be received by any member of the
committee for more than four days unless additional days are authorized. The
funds necessary to carry out the provisions of this resolution shall come from
the funds appropriated to the House of Representatives. In the event the
committee makes a report of its findings and recommendations, with suggestions
for proposed legislation, if any, such report shall be made on or before
December 1, 2008. The committee shall stand abolished on December 1, 2008.