Executive Order Number 04-07

Executive Order Number 04-07 (PDF, 113 KB)

 

Executive Order Instituting Use of E-85 and Biodiesel Blend Fuels In Flexible Fuel Vehicles and Diesel Powered Vehicles in the State of Illinois Fleet

WHEREAS, Illinois is the leading producer of soybeans and the second leading producer of corn in the United States, agricultural commodities used in the production of renewable fuels such as E-85 and biodiesel;

WHEREAS, numerous economic developmental and environmental benefits result from the use of renewable fuels, including but not limited to strengthening our agricultural sector by increasing demand for soybeans and corn, improving net farm income, improving our rural economies, creating new renewable fuels industry related jobs, reducing our dependence on foreign oil, improving our energy security, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions;

WHEREAS, there are currently at least 25 public, government and private E-85 refueling facilities in Illinois;

WHEREAS, the State of Illinois was one of the first states in the country to purchase and operate E-85 Flexible Fuel Vehicles, and the State of Illinois has one of the largest fleets of E-85 vehicles in the country;

WHEREAS, Public Act No. 093-0015, which I signed on June 11, 2003, will increase the cost competitiveness of E-85 and biodiesel blends for the people of Illinois;

WHEREAS, executive agencies of the State of Illinois should be at the forefront in utilizing E-85 and biodiesel blended fuels in flexible fuel and diesel powered vehicles in the State's fleet in order to actively demonstrate the economic development and environmental benefits to be realized from utilization of renewable fuels;

THEREFORE, I Rod R. Blagojevich, hereby order the following:

1. The Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS) is directed to immediately take all actions necessary to allow for the procurement of 2% blends of biodiesel (B2) fuel for the State's diesel-powered vehicle fleet and to investigate ways in which to strengthen the infrastructure for increasing the availability of B2 and E-85 for the State's flexible fuel fleet, including, but no limited to upgrading current E-95 fuel storage tanks at State facilities and establishing new State operated B2 refueling stations.
2. The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is directed to develop a plan designed to facilitate usage of E-85 and B2 in the State's flexible fuels vehicle fleet and actively pursue the establishment of additional E-85 and biodiesel refueling facilities at public retail outlets. The plan shall address reporting requirements on usage, necessary to provide a basis for documenting utilization of E-95 and B2 by State employees and to provide a basis to evaluate performance and costs of using E-85 and B2; employee incentive programs that could be offered by the State alone; or in conjunction with private sector partners; and marketing the benefits of E-95 and biodiesel blends. CMS shall act in an advisory capacity to DCEO in the development of the plan.
3. The Directors of all executive agencies utilizing the State's fleet of flexible fuel vehicles shall implement policies, rules, and/or procedures requiring that employees under their jurisdiction use E-85 and B2 when operating flexible fuels and diesel powered vehicles in the State fleet, whenever practical, in the course of their state employment. For purposes of this Executive Order, the term "whenever practical" refers to the reasonableness of obtaining E-85 or B2 given the proximity of the employee operating a flexible fuels vehicle to an E-85 or biodiesel fueling facility when the need to obtain fuel arises.
4. In all future State of Illinois purchases or rentals of vehicles for state use, the purchasing agency may establish reasonable priorities for the purchase or rental of flexible fuel E-85 vehicles especially flexible fuel hybrid electric vehicles capable of using E-85 fuel. Fore diesel powered vehicles, the purchasing agency may establish reasonable priorities for those vehicles that can use blends of biodiesel or ethanol.
5. Savings Clause: Nothing in this Executive Order shall be construed to contravene any applicable state or federal law.
6. Severability. If any provision of this Executive Order or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, this invalidity does not affect any other provision or application of this Executive Order which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application.
7. Effective Date: This Executive Order ___ shall be in full force and effect upon its filing with the Secretary of State.

Rod R. Blagojevich, Governor
Issued by Governor: __________, 2004
Filed with Secretary of State: __________, 2004