Biodiesel mandate defies backlash

New South Wales (NSW) will become the first state to mandate a minimum level of biodiesel use in motor vehicles as the Australian state government continues to defy an international backlash against biofuels. NSW plans to introduce a 2% biodiesel mandate and double its ethanol mandate for petrol, which was introduced in October, from 2% to 4% next year. The fuel came under fire at the UN food crisis summit in June because large areas of corn and other crops are being converted to ethanol production. The Weekend Australian reported that the ethanol push in Australia was threatening grain shortages and driving up food prices. It is also controversial because vast tracts of rainforest in countries such as Indonesia and Malaysia are being cleared for oil palms to make biodiesel. (June 6, 2008)

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