Reps. Spade, Gleason, Polidori, Gonzales, Miller, Bennett, Kehrl, Vagnozzi, Mayes, Sak, Gillard, Angerer, Sheltrown, Accavitti, Byrnes, Espinoza, McDowell, Kathleen Law, Anderson, Ball, Bieda, Brown, Byrum, Clack, Condino, Cushingberry, Green, Hansen, Hopgood, Kolb, David Law, Leland, Lipsey, McConico, Meisner, Murphy, Plakas, Proos, Alma Smith, Stahl, Tobocman, Waters and Zelenko offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 125.

            A resolution to urge the Department of Management and Budget and the Department of Transportation to ensure that state vehicles use biodiesel and ethanol fuels and that flexible fuel vehicles and American made hybrids be purchased to the fullest extent possible.

            Whereas, Executive agencies of the state of Michigan should be at the forefront in utilizing biodiesel and ethanol-blended fuels in diesel-powered and flexible fuel vehicles in the state's fleet. Doing so would actively demonstrate the economic and environmental benefits to be realized from utilization of renewable alternative fuels; and

            Whereas, It is becoming increasingly apparent that alternative fuels, flexible fuel vehicles, and American made hybrids must be a critical component of the state’s and the nation’s energy supply and strategy. The world supply of crude oil is as precarious as ever and prices for gasoline and diesel fuel are reaching new highs every week. Gasoline and diesel fuel tail pipe emissions also impact human health and the environment and alternative fuels generally have less toxic air emissions; and

            Whereas, Biodiesel is biodegradable and reduces air pollutants such as particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and volatile organic compounds. Biodiesel can be blended with diesel fuel to create a blend of biodiesel and regular diesel that can be used in any diesel engine. Ethanol increases octane and improves the emission quality of gasoline. Ethanol can be blended with gasoline to create E85-a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. Vehicles that run on E85 are called flexible fuel vehicles; and

            Whereas, Biodiesel and ethanol are renewable alternative fuels domestically produced primarily from soybean and corn crops. In the United States, the majority of biodiesel is made from soybean and the majority of ethanol is produced from corn, both of which are prominent crops in Michigan's agricultural sector; and

            Whereas, The federal Energy Policy Act of 2005 and Executive Directive 2005-4 issued by Governor Granholm encourage and provide directives for the use of biodiesel and ethanol in the state fleet; and

            Whereas, Michigan citizens will benefit from improved air quality, less dependence on foreign oil, and an investment in Michigan farmers who produce corn and soybeans, Michigan companies that process ethanol and biodiesel, and Michigan manufacturers of flexible fuel vehicles and hybrids; and

            Whereas, Under Section 213 of the Management and Budget Act, 1984 PA 431, MCL §18.1213, the Department of Management and Budget may issue directives relative to motor vehicles used by all state agencies, except for motor vehicles under the jurisdiction of the Department of Transportation; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we urge the Department of Management and Budget and the Department of Transportation to ensure that state vehicles use biodiesel and ethanol fuels and that flexible fuel vehicles and American made hybrids be purchased to the fullest extent possible; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the directors of the Department of Management and Budget and the Department of Transportation and the Governor of the State of Michigan.