INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — The Indian River County Board of Commissioners is joining the county’s Chamber of Commerce in seeking Gov. Rick Scott’s veto on two bills that would repeal the state’s requirement that fuel providers offer alternative fuels.
County Economic Development Director Helene Caseltine, of the Indian River County Chamber of Commerce, asked the Board of County Commissioners to send a letter to Gov. Scott, encouraging him to veto House Bill 4001 and Senate Bill 320. The bills aim to repeal the Florida Renewable Fuel Standard Act, which was passed in 2010.
The act “encourages alternative fuel usage,” Caseltine told commissioners. By passing the proposed House and Senate bills, the state would be sending the “wrong message” to the alternative fuels industry.
“The repeal of that just brings us back to the old days,” Caseltine said.
Commissioners unanimously supported Caseltine’s request and directed staff to draft a letter to be sent to Tallahassee.
Commissioner Wesley Davis, who ultimately supported the request, voiced concern that alternative fuels would be based on food sources, such as corn, an effort he doesn’t support.
The House and Senate bills do not mention specific alternative fuel sources – only a general “biomass” source. Such biomass sources include vegetative waste, solid waste, and landfill gasses.
INEOS Bio, located in southern Indian River County, currently converts vegetative waste that would otherwise go into the county’s landfill into ethanol.
