The Florida Senate

¹570.957  Farm-to-Fuel Grants Program.--

(1)  As used in this section, the term:

(a)  "Bioenergy" means useful, renewable energy produced from organic matter through the conversion of the complex carbohydrates in organic matter to energy. Organic matter may either be used directly as a fuel, processed into liquids and gases, or be a residue of processing and conversion.

(b)  "Department" means the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

(c)  "Person" means an individual, partnership, joint venture, private or public corporation, association, firm, public service company, or any other public or private entity.

(d)  "Renewable energy" means electrical, mechanical, or thermal energy produced from a method that uses one or more of the following fuels or energy sources: hydrogen, biomass, solar energy, geothermal energy, wind energy, ocean energy, waste heat, or hydroelectric power.

(2)  The Farm-to-Fuel Grants Program is established within the department to provide renewable energy matching grants for demonstration, commercialization, research, and development projects relating to bioenergy projects.

(a)  Matching grants for bioenergy demonstration, commercialization, research, and development projects may be made to any of the following:

1.  Municipalities and county governments.

2.  Established for-profit companies licensed to do business in the state.

3.  Universities and colleges in the state.

4.  Utilities located and operating within the state.

5.  Not-for-profit organizations.

6.  Other qualified persons, as determined by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

(b)  The department may adopt rules to provide for allocation of grant funds by project type, application requirements, ranking of applications, and awarding of grants under this program.

(c)  Factors for consideration in awarding grants may include, but are not limited to, the degree to which:

1.  The project produces bioenergy from Florida-grown crops or biomass.

2.  The project demonstrates efficient use of energy and material resources.

3.  Matching funds and in-kind contributions from an applicant are available.

4.  The project has a reasonable assurance of enhancing the value of agricultural products or will expand agribusiness in the state.

5.  Preliminary market and feasibility research has been conducted by the applicant or others and shows there is a reasonable assurance of a potential market.

6.  The project stimulates in-state capital investment and economic development in metropolitan and rural areas, including the creation of jobs and the future development of a commercial market for bioenergy.

7.  The project incorporates an innovative new technology or an innovative application of an existing technology.

(d)  In evaluating and awarding grants under this section, the department shall consult with and solicit input from the Department of Environmental Protection.

(e)  In determining the technical feasibility of grant applications, the department shall coordinate and actively consult with persons having expertise in renewable energy technologies.

(f)  In determining the economic feasibility of bioenergy grant applications, the department shall consult with the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development.

(3)  This section expires July 1, 2008.

History.--s. 47, ch. 2007-73.

¹Note.--Section 47, ch. 2007-73, created s. 570.957 "[i]n order to implement Section 51 of the 2007-2008 General Appropriations Act."