Free Republic

Pacific EthanolPacific Ethanol Madera LLC announced it will participate in the California Ethanol Producer Incentive Program (CEPIP), which will temporarily assist the plant financially. The CEPIP works essentially like a loan, where the state government will provide financial backing during difficult economic conditions and the participating companies will pay it back when it’s determined the economy has recovered. Pacific Ethanol Madera LLC is part of Pacific Ethanol Inc., which is the leading West Coast manufacturer of ethanol — a corn-based, low-carbon fuel. “The state of California continues to lead the nation in supporting the production of low-carbon fuels,” Pacific Ethanol...

SACRAMENTO — Acting on the last batch of bills from what experts called a disappointing regular legislative year, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Sunday signed into law a controversial increase in motorists' fees that is intended to raise millions to develop alternative fuel and clean-air technology. Consumer advocates condemned the bill for putting the costs on the backs of motorists rather than oil companies. Schwarzenegger also signed what became known as the "toxic toys" bill, which makes California the first state to prohibit the use of chemical compounds called phthalates in products designed for children under 3 years old. Making his...

There is a pair of bills on Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's desk that puts him on the spot: They would cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars, including a hike in the "car tax" that Schwarzenegger vilified in his first campaign for office. ... The measures as passed were not publicly debated. They received little vetting by policy experts. They were not fully written until the clock had almost run out on lawmakers preparing to adjourn and get out of town last month. And key provisions were shaped by a small group of big campaign contributors. The causes were advanced by...

paritial excerpt: "Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program , to be administered by the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission, to provide, upon appropriation by the Legislature, competitive grants , loans, loan guarantees, and revolving loans to public agencies, California-based businesses and projects, public-private partnerships, vehicle and technology consortia, workforce training partnerships, fleet owners, consumers, recreational boaters, and academic institutions to develop and deploy innovative technologies that will transform California's fuel and vehicle types to help attain the state's climate change policies"