Planned ethanol plant in Tampa gets boost from Gov. Bush

Tampa's Port Sutton area is expected to be the home of Florida's newest ethanol production facility, and Gov. Jeb Bush used the site to sign into law a four-year, $100 million plan that could diversify the state's fuel supply while promoting energy conservation and efficiency.

Bush signed Senate Bill 888, otherwise known as the Florida Renewable Energy Technologies and Energy Efficiency Act, that is expected to reduce regulatory barriers to expedite electric generation capacity and providing rebates, grants and tax incentives to drive the development of alternative fuel technologies, officials said.

Port Sutton is expected to be the home of Tampa's first ethanol production plant through U.S. EnviroFuels LLC, that when completed will produce an estimated 40 million gallons of fuel grade ethanol a year. Production will include grain unloading, storage, milling, fermentation, distillation and drying. The company is expected to break ground in August, and begin operations by October 2007.

"Reducing barriers and diversifying the state's fuel supply will ensure greater energy and economic security for Florida," Bush said in a release. "Grant programs and targeted investments for emerging technologies will speed up the development of viable, cleaner alternative energy sources and create opportunities for new industries, services and jobs."

The law will provide a solar energy system rebate program that is expected to help reduce the initial costs of installing photovoltaic and solar thermal technologies on residential and commercial buildings. Also, a sales tax holiday on energy-efficient products will take place between Oct. 5 and Oct. 11 this year, giving tax exemptions for the purchase of products like dishwashers, refrigerators, air conditioners, ceiling fans, programmable thermostats, and incandescent lights.

The bill also provides matching grants for research and demonstration projects associated with the development of alternative fuel vehicles, renewable energy systems, and other "next generation" energy technologies, including hydrogren, solar, biodiesel and ethanol, state officials said.

Finally, the bill creates the Florida Energy Commission, a nine-member panel that will be appointed by the Senate president and the state House's speaker to advise the Legislature on state energy policy based on reliability, efficiency, affordability and diversity.