Gov. Jerry Brown has signed AB 523, introduced by Assemblyman David G. Valadao (R-Hanford), into law. AB 523 eliminates all future state funding for the production of ethanol derived from corn after July 2013. Valadao’s office said about $6 million is provided to a very small group of corn ethanol producers. The new law, signed Monday by Brown, redirects that money away from corn ethanol and toward other forms of renewable energy, including ethanol not derived from corn. “Over a year ago, we brought together our friends in agriculture and many from the environmental community to oppose further state funding for the production of corn ethanol. I originally ran for office to fix problems and this bill fixes a problem,” said Valadao. “At a time when feed and food costs are on the rise, AB 523 is more important than ever.”
The bill was supported by Western United Dairymen and a coalition of agricultural groups