Biofuels

There has been a sudden flurry of activity surrounding the topic of biofuels - biodiesels and ethanol. Only 6-12 months ago it was difficult to find any information anywhere on the topic, except some 'how to' sites on the internet (a good one referred to by some local on farm producers is the Journey to Forever site). I have been forwarded 2 recent articles below and will continue to spot post other articles that may be of interest as the industry evolves.

Paper On Biodiesel Blend Fuel Standards Released

 http://www.farmersinfo.com.au/newsletter/transport/vol04/fx_deh.htm

The Australian Government has moved a step closer to setting quality standards for diesel/biodiesel blended fuels with the release of a discussion paper on the issue.

Australian Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell, said the discussion paper sets out and assesses the technical issues relating to diesel/biodiesel blends and canvasses a number of potential management options.

"Currently fuel quality standards exist for petroleum diesel and for biodiesel, but not for blends of the two," Senator Campbell said.

"As part of the Australian Government's continuing work to improve air quality and deliver cleaner fuels, the Government has been systematically establishing national quality standards for a number of different fuels.

"The purpose of fuel standards is to minimise the impact that fuels have on our atmosphere and, consequently, on the air that we breathe.

"Developing quality standards for these types of fuels is also an important measure to help address market barriers and consumer confidence in the biofuels industry.

"The discussion paper, Standardising Diesel/Biodiesel Blends, does not put forward a Government position. It seeks comment from all stakeholders on how best to address these issues and to standardise diesel/biodiesel blends in the Australian market.

"I invite all interested parties to submit their opinions on this issue," Senator Campbell said. "By doing so they will be contributing to the development of quality standards for diesel/biodiesel blended fuels."

Comments on the discussion paper can be submitted until January 2007. They will then be reviewed and a Government position will be drafted and released for further public comment.

A copy of the paper can be found at: www.deh.gov.au.

Consumer Acceptance Key To Driving Biofuels Industry

 http://www.farmersinfo.com.au/newsletter/transport/vol04/fx_nationals.htm

After recent survey findings confirmed the majority of Australians support the growth of an alternative biofuels market, NSW Nationals Senator Fiona Nash said the only thing now standing in the way of an expanded biofuels industry in Australia, is the major oil companies who are still not making biofuels readily available for consumers.

One of a number of speakers to address an alternative fuels forum in Young in the state's central west, Senator Nash said Australian motorists appear to be open to embracing biofuels and it's now time the major oil companies take notice of consumers and start making biofuels products more readily available.

"In making minimal effort to reach this year's voluntary target of at least 89 million litres, it appears likely the major oil companies won't fulfill the commitment they made to Prime Minister John Howard and Deputy Prime Minister Mark Vaile to participate in the industry Biofuels Action Plan, which is aimed at achieving the Federal Government's target of 350 million litres of biofuels by 2010," Senator Nash said.

"While some have shown some leadership on the issue, more needs to be done if we are going to increase availability of biofuels - particularly ethanol blends - in Australia.

"This apparent lack of will on behalf of the major oil companies is despite growing consumer demand for biofuels; a recent survey highlighted an increased acceptance among the community for biofuels, with 78 per cent of respondents who own a motor vehicle saying they would consider using ethanol blends in their vehicles."

88 per cent of respondents to the Newspoll survey were more likely to consider ethanol knowing it is a cleaner fuel that produces lower greenhouse gas emissions and 86 per cent of respondents were more likely to consider ethanol knowing it would help reduce the price of petrol.

88 per cent of respondents to the survey agreed Government should support the use of alternative biofuels such as ethanol blended petrol and 86 per cent of respondents agreed Government should encourage the production of ethanol blended petrol in Australia.

"Consumer confidence is clearly on the rise, so if the only thing now standing in the way of greater use of biofuels is the oil companies who are not making it available, then the Federal Government needs to mandate the annual volumetric targets to make sure they do," Senator Nash said.

In addressing the forum, Senator Nash - a long time campaigner for an expanded biofuels industry - discussed the emerging ethanol industry in Australia, its history and the measures necessary to ensure greater uptake of the alternative fuel in the marketplace.