Senate Committee on Transportation (02/17/2009)

Final
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Date:	02/17/2009	ATTENDANCE

Time:	01:38 PM to 02:20 PM	Kopp	X
		Renfroe	X
Place:	SCR 352	Romer	X
		Spence	X
This Meeting was called to order by		Veiga	X
	Senator Gibbs	Williams	X
		Gibbs	X
This Report was prepared by
	Geoff Johnson
		X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call

Bills Addressed:		Action Taken:
SB09-098		Amended, Referred to Appropriations

01:38 PM

Senator Gibbs, Chairman, called the meeting to order.

01:38 PM -- Senate Bill 09-098

Senator Schwartz, prime sponsor, presented Senate Bill 09-098, concerning blending diesel fuels after withdrawal at the rack. She commented on requirements for dyeing diesel fuel that is tax exempt in Colorado, and spoke of the benefits that Senate Bill 09-098 will permit distributors who blend diesel fuel with biodiesel fuel. She commented on fines that could be generated under Senate Bill 09-098. She noted that Senate Bill 09-098 will allow such blending to occur and still retain its exemption from the state's special fuels tax.

The following persons commented on Senate Bill 09-098:

01:44 PM -- Dan Mortenson, representing Alta Fuels, said that he sells biodiesel fuels. He commented on recent changes in the industry. He said that biodiesel cannot be shipped by pipeline and must be brought into the state by rail. He spoke of tests occurring in Florida with blending of biodiesel and diesel fuels. He said that consumers want biodiesel if it is affordable. He explained that a "B5 blend" is 5 percent biodiesel and 95 percent diesel.

01:55 PM -- Rich Spresser, representing Presto Marketing, commented on the distribution of blended fuels. He said that there are infrastructure costs that can be avoided by blending the fuels at the point of demand. He noted that biodiesel represents one percent of diesel fuel sold in Colorado.

01:58 PM -- Aaron Perry, representing Rocky Mountain Sustainable Enterprises, said that there is much potential for growth in the use of biodiesel in the state. He said that Senate Bill 09-098 will help to open up new markets for biodiesel in Colorado. He commented on the types of biofuels that are available on the market.

02:07 PM -- Stacey Simms, representing the Governor's Energy Office, supported Senate Bill 09-098. She said that Senate Bill 09-098 will put Colorado on par with other states in the regulation of biofuels. She commented on the job creation potential of Senate Bill 9-098.

02:10 PM -- Philip Horwitz, representing the Colorado Department of Revenue, was available for committee questions. No questions were asked.


BILL:	SB09-098
TIME:	02:18:18 PM
MOVED:	Williams
MOTION:	Moved a prepared amendment to Senate Bill 09-098 (Attachment A), L.002. The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:
		VOTE
	Kopp
	Renfroe
	Romer
	Spence
	Veiga
	Williams
	Gibbs

Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection


BILL:	SB09-098
TIME:	02:19:31 PM
MOVED:	Williams
MOTION:	Moved that Senate Bill 09-098 be referred to the Committee on Appropriations, as amended. The motion passed on a 7-0-0 roll call vote.
SECONDED:
		VOTE
	Kopp	Yes
	Renfroe	Yes
	Romer	Yes
	Spence	Yes
	Veiga	Yes
	Williams	Yes
	Gibbs	Yes

Final YES: 7 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS

02:20 PM

The committee meeting adjourned.