TRENTON – A measure sponsored by Senators Fred H. Madden and Joseph Coniglio that would appropriate $1 million in federal funding to be used to develop the region’s first ethanol plant received final legislative approval today in the Assembly.
“The demand for ethanol would work to increase production and profits for local corn farmers,” said Senator Bryant, D-Camden and Gloucester. “This measure would use existing resources to help fill the current demand for gasoline, while helping to save money for the taxpayers who rely so heavily on gasoline. At the same time, it would boost the local economy by increasing revenue for local farmers.”
The Senators’ bill, S-2313, would appropriate $1 million in federal funding from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development to be used for the Garden State Ethanol project, which would include the construction of the Mid-Atlantic region’s first ethanol plant, to be located in West Deptford.
Ethanol , a fuel produced from fermenting crops, including corn, wheat and other grains, can be used to stretch gasoline. It is considered a renewable fuel because it is made from crops.
“As gasoline prices continue to skyrocket and air quality continues to deteriorate, it is abundantly clear that we need to explore all forms of alternative energies,’ said Senator Coniglio, D-Bergen. “Ethanol provides us with a clean, renewable source of energy that, with continued development, could one day drastically reduce our dependence on foreign oil and help reduce the amount of pollution put into the air by New Jersey’s cars and trucks. With this federal grant, New Jersey will become the leader in the Northeast’s efforts to develop this technology.”
This measure unanimously passed the Senate on February 14. It now heads to Governor Codey’s desk, where his signature would make it State law.