Ethanol Definition Passes Senate Committee Muster

A proposed State Senate bill that supported Rayonier Advanced Materials' definition of ethanol as fermentation and not chemical manufacturing advanced Monday through the Community Affairs Committee by a 5-3 vote.

The ethanol definition if eventually passed by the full Senate and House would negate Fernandina Beach's decision not to grant RYAM a building permit for a bioethanol plant at its Gum Street complex. The city ruled that ethanol was chemical manufacturing and thus prohibited by the city's Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code.

The ethanol clause was part of an 11th hour amendment to an overarching State Senate bill reining in state municipality's ability to control and regulate new development.

The bill was sponsored by the Community Affairs Chair Stan McClain of Ocala.

Residents called committee members Monday with concerns over the definition of ethanol and the ramifications of such a bill if passed in Fernandina Beach.

"I've heard from both Democrats and Republicans who live in Fernandina Beach and Amelia Island who have expressed their opposition to the potential, or their fear of ethanol plants being built next to private homes based off of how we are defining (ethanol processing). Are we not taking into consideration those individuals?" asked Senator Shevrin Jones.

McClain, whose office did not answer many of those calls, pleaded ignorance over RYAM's efforts to build the bioethanol plant that would produce 7.5 million gallons of alternative fuel a year.

"I don't know the particulars of that particular project or that process or where it's located," McClain answered. "I think what we wanted to do is to be able define ethanol production and how it takes place and how it can take place."

Jones asked McClain again about the intent of the ethanol definition in the amended bill.

"Are we sure we're not changing what the definition of a chemical is?" Jones said.

McClain said no.

"We're defining what the production and how it's used and how it is done," McClain said.

During public comment on bill 1118, Frank Hileman of Fernandina Beach represented the citizens' group No Ethanol Fernandina.

"This bill the language we're talking is solely about a project in Fernandina Beach. There is a project currently under consideration by a company called RYAM. They have been denied a building permit for this project because our current Comp Plan and LDC prohibits any plant that allows for chemical manufacturing or distribution," Hileman explained.

"That's what they (RYAM) want that's what they need. They (RYAM) have filed a lawsuit to that effect and that is pending. That's where we are. The fact of the matter is we are making a change by this bill to the definition of what is chemical manufacturing. There's nothing to support it (the definition). The bill analysis doesn't say it. Please vote against it."

State Senator Clay Yarborough, who represents Nassau County, was at the committee but did not speak on the proposed bill.

Other committee members also raised concerns about the ethanol inclusion, especially since the amendment was added at the last minute.

"There's ickiness to a lot of these bills as how they are and how they're amended, and so quickly changed and so nimble. As it relates to development and accommodating growth in our state, I'm all for it. But there's a lot of ickiness we need to work through," said Senator Jason Pizzo.

Although he would vote in support of the bill, Committee Vice Chair Randy Fine said, "I've got a lot of concerns especially about the ethanol thing particularly from beachside communities today."

SB 1118 is still a long way from a full State Senate floor vote, having to go through several more reviews before being finalized for approval.