TALLAHASSEE – After a
month’s delay, a bill that would repeal the ethanol blending requirement is
headed to the Florida governor, Oil Price Information Service (OPIS) reports. The
Florida House approved the measure on April 12, while the Florida Senate
followed suit on April 24.
On Monday, the bill went on
its way to Florida Gov. Rick Scott for his signature. The delay in sending the
measure to the governor has not been explained, OPIS reports.
Earlier this year, state Rep.
Matt Gaetz put forth the bill that would end the mandate that almost all
gasoline sold in the state contain 9% to 10% ethanol by volume. The requirement
went into effect Dec. 31, 2010. The current measure would take effect July 1.
In addition, the legislation would allow sellers of gasoline to stop sending
monthly blended and unblended gasoline numbers to the Florida Department of
Revenue.
With the bill on the
governor’s desk, Scott now has 15 days to sign or veto it. A spokeswoman told
OPIS that the government is “reviewing” the measure.
Last year, Scott, along with other governors, had previously lobbied the
Environmental Protection Agency for a waiver from the federal renewable fuels
standard rules.