Two legislative planks on Gov. Timothy M. Kaine's eco-friendly "Renew Virginia" platform cleared the Virginia Senate today, though one was sanded down.
Senate Bill 1146, carried by Sen. Mary Margaret Whipple, D-Arlington, would require the government to purchase diesel fuel for its vehicle fleet that contains at least 2 percent biodiesel.
The requirement would not apply if the cost of the biodiesel fuel exceeds the cost of regular diesel by more than 5 percent. Whipple estimated the measure would cost the state a maximum of $1.25 million.
The original legislation would have required that diesel fuel sold to any consumer contain at least 2 percent biodiesel. It also would have set a 10 percent cap on the price difference.
The bill passed by a vote of 29-11 over the objections of a number of GOP lawmakers who questioned why the bill wasn't vetted by the Finance committee. They also asked whether the state should spend additional money on the green initiative amid extreme budget reductions.
By a vote of 38-1, senators also passed another Kaine priority Senate Bill 1141, which would allocate $2 million in renewable energy property tax credits for individuals and corporations.
The bill, carried by Sen. L. Louise Lucas, D-Norfolk, provides credits for the installation of solar electric generation, solar heating systems and wind-powered electrical generators.
Contact Jim Nolan at (804) 649-6061 or jnolan@timesdispatch.com.
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