Missouri Governor Unveils New Alternative Fuel Plan

Missouri Governor Matt Blunt today unveiled a new proposal to encourage alternative fuel use in Missouri.

Speaking at the Claycomo Ford Assembly Plant, home of the Ford Hybrid Escape., the governor said:

“We have made several policy changes that make Missouri more energy efficient, environmentally-friendly and a leader in alternative fuel use, such as requiring gasoline to be blended with 10 percent ethanol. The creation of the Missouri Renewable Fuel Standard was a major step we took to position Missouri as a leader in ethanol production and use, but we can do more. I am proposing we further promote alternative fuel use and better protect our air quality by expanding access to E-85 and provide tax incentives for Missourians who purchase hybrid vehicles.”

Gov. Blunt's initiatives are targeted at promoting the use of environmentally friendly technology and expanding access to alternative fuel in Missouri.

Expanding Access to E-85 Fuel

• a new, $2 million tax incentive program specifically designed to increase the number of gas stations in Missouri that offer E-85 fuel.
  

Tax Incentives for Hybrid Vehicles

• a new state income tax deduction for Missourians who purchase qualified hybrid vehicles. The deduction would help encourage more Missourians purchasing new cars to consider those that utilize alternative power.

Promoting Home Grown Energy

• tax credits for those who purchase E-85 gasoline. The proposal would help increase alternative fuel consumption across the state and benefit all Missourians who fill up with alternative fuel. Tax credits would be equal to 25 cents per gallon in year one; 20 cents per gallon in years two and three; and 15 cents per gallon in each subsequent year, with a maximum of $500 per taxpayer per year. The credit will be claimed with the Missourians income taxes.

Missouri's new Renewable Fuels Standard legislation signed by Gov. Blunt in 2006 went into effect at the beginning of this year. It requires all gasoline offered for sale in Missouri to contain 10 percent ethanol (E-10). Missouri is just the third state to implement a broad ethanol requirement.

Automotive Fleet Magazine ranked Missouri tenth against other states in the number of alternative fuel vehicles as a percentage of the total state fleet, and 59th in the country against thousands of private, state, local and federally managed vehicle fleets. The state fleet currently has 36 hybrid electric and 1,717 E-85 vehicles.

Source: State of Missouri

READ MORE

• Missouri Blends 10% Ethanol in Gasoline
  
• New Ethanol Plant Produces Both Food and Fuel
  
• Ford Delivers with new Ethanol-fueled Hybrids
  

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