Wolk bill promoting market for state’s rice straw unanimously approved

Bill extends successful program to encourage alternatives to burning of rice straw

SACRAMENTO–The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation voted unanimously today to approve legislation by Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis) to extend a successful program to encourage alternatives to burning California rice straw.

Assembly Bill 680 extends through 2013 an existing Rice Straw Tax Credit Program that encourages the use of California rice straw by providing $15 per ton of California grown rice straw purchased for use other than burning. The tax credits are earned by the purchaser of the rice straw.

“Over the past years, the Rice Straw Tax Credit Program has helped reduce air pollution by finding alternative uses for rice straw,” said Wolk. “Through this program, rice straw has found its way into some new and innovative products, including erosion control, fiberboard manufacturing, cattle-feeding operations, construction, and animal bedding.”

Rice straw wattles are an example of the program’s environmental success stories.  Wattles, rope-like erosion control products, are used to control soil erosion in disturbed areas such as roadways, construction sites and fire-damaged forestlands. They were invented by Earth Saver Rice Straw Wattles, a family-owned business located in Yolo County, the largest producer of rice straw wattles.

"The state’s effort to improve air quality in the Sacramento Valley by reducing rice straw burning has been very successful, encouraging many ingenious uses for rice straw. However, the state’s job is not complete,” said Wolk. “By curtailing burning the State has all but eliminated the rice industries' traditional method of disposing of rice straw. Developing these markets is the final step in the process of eliminating rice straw burning while maintaining a viable industry that is beneficial to California's economy and environment. This legislation will continue encouragement for these markets.”

AB 680, which is sponsored by the California Rice Commission, will next be heard in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.