Illinois State Sen. Patrick Joyce backs legislation that expands the use of biodiesel for public transportation. | Facebook
Illinois State Sen. Patrick Joyce backs legislation that expands the use of biodiesel for public transportation. | Facebook
Senate Agriculture Chair Patrick Joyce (D-Essex) advanced a measure that will help Illinois farmers, simultaneously reducing the state's dependence on fuel from foreign nations by requiring biodiesel for the state’s transportation fuel by 2024.
Senate Bill 2394 comes from the Illinois Soybean Association. It requires the diesel sold in the state to be a minimum of 5% biodiesel fuel oil by volume before July 1, 2024, and 20% following that date.
"Today, I advanced a measure through the Senate Agriculture Committee that aims to create a statewide renewable fuel standard which would require biodiesel for transportation fuel beginning in 2024," Joyce wrote in an April 15 Facebook post.
Joyce believes that the advancement of such a bill is an important step as Illinois tries to keep up with the demands for biodiesel. He also believes that it holds several benefits, including being an economic benefit for farmers whose crop would be converted to fuel.
Exemptions will be made for fuel used by marine engines and locomotives, which may not be able to run on biodiesel.
The legislation has already passed the Senate Agriculture Committee on Thursday and will now proceed to the next step of consideration.
Alerts Sign-up