Week
of August 28 - September 3, 2006 |
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Five ethanol
plants are already in production in Michigan, with two more under
construction. Two biodiesel plants are also beginning production,
with another plant in the works. In addition, the legislative package
that I signed in July cut the gas tax by 36 percent for the purchase
of ethanol and 20 percent for biodiesel; Michigan’s investment in alternative energy production and use will benefit consumers in the long-run as increased use of ethanol and biodiesel helps reduce the demand for foreign oil. In the short-term, the state is doing everything in its power to protect consumers at the pump, including doubling the number of inspections this year to ensure that consumers are receiving the quantity and quality of gasoline they are paying for. It’s now time for President Bush to stand up for Michigan citizens and cap big oil’s outrageous profits until our long-term solutions take root and end our dependence on foreign oil once and for all.
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Michigan
is moving aggressively to increase production and use of both ethanol
and biodiesel fuels. We’ve cut taxes on the purchase of these
fuels, and now, thanks to a $250,000 grant program that I announced
recently, we will help service station owners defray the costs of
installing or converting infrastructure at public service stations
to provide ethanol and biodiesel fuel to Michigan consumers. 
and it also called for an increase in the number of retail outlets
throughout the state that provide ethanol and biodiesel to fleet
owners and the public. By expanding access and use of these fuels,
we can reduce the cost of gas for all of us. Our goal is to have
1,000 biofuel pumps in place by 2008. 