BILL REQ. #:  S-1858.1 

Read first time 02/16/2007.   Referred to Committee on Agriculture & Rural Economic Development.

     AN ACT Relating to evaluating the use of sugar beets for production of biofuel; creating new sections; and making appropriations.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that sugar beets were a major crop grown in Washington state for a number of years. The legislature finds that sugar beets have a significant potential to be used to produce biofuels, may be capable of producing more gallons of biofuel per acre than other crops grown as feedstock for biofuel production, and that such production could create significant opportunities for rural economic development. The purpose of this act is to provide funds for a study of economic and agronomic potential and suitability of growing sugar beets for biofuel production in the state.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   (1) The Washington State University agricultural research center for bioproducts and bioenergy shall conduct a study that includes the potential and suitability of growing sugar beets for biofuel production that evaluates the following factors:
     (a) Current and potential availability of sugar beet feedstock sources in the state;
     (b) Suitability of growing conditions in various regions of the state;
     (c) Expected fuel yield per acre, in relation to other potential biofuel feedstocks;
     (d) Technological feasibility of converting sugar beets into fuel;
     (e) Economic feasibility of growing sugar beets for production of biofuel;
     (f) A description of the infrastructure needed including processing plants and machinery;
     (g) The opportunity to produce coproducts and by-products such as an alternative feed source for livestock; and
     (h) Potential contributions to rural economic development.
     (2) By December 1, 2009, the Washington State University agricultural research center for bioproducts and bioenergy shall provide a written report to the chief clerk of the house of representatives and to the secretary of the senate containing the findings and conclusions of its study.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   (1) The sum of one hundred twenty-five thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008, from the general fund to the Washington State University agricultural research center for bioproducts and bioenergy for the purposes of this act.
     (2) The sum of one hundred twenty-five thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009, from the general fund to the Washington State University agricultural research center for bioproducts and bioenergy for the purposes of this act.