Browsing: Biofuels

Assistant Treasurer Bill Shorten today released draft legislation that overhauls the tax treatment of alternative fuels and delivers on a commitment made to key Independent Tony Windsor to delay an end to special arrangements for ethanol.

• Melbourne Water boosts biogas capture in carbon-neutral push
  
• WA Government to amend conservation law
  
• Qantas explores bio-jet fuel
  
• Carbon Trust hands out second CO2-neutral certification

Proposals to produce diesel, urea and export-suitable briquettes from New Zealand's brown coal would 'hugely increase' carbon emissions and the nation's CO2 trading rules should ban granting them free carbon credits, says a report released today by NZ Environment Commissioner Dr Jan Wright (with video).

• Shell seeks special permit to export hazardous waste
  
• Queensland delays 5% ethanol mandate due to Federal 'uncertainties'
  
• International alliance details key climate finance measures
  
• Infigen proposes $150 million solar farm
  
• Origin on track for 2020 emissions intensity target

• EPA Victoria launches searchable database of licences
  
• NSW environment department targets coal mines
  
• NZ opens new marine energy funding round
  
• Victoria offers free test drives of electric cars, hybrids

NZ Government-owned Solid Energy wants to make diesel from coal, but the nation's environment commissioner has told Parliament it should instead focus on making biodiesel from wood.

By global standards Australia is investing a paltry amount on developing next-generation biofuels, says Caltex CEO Julian Segal, who describes the notion that a $10 carbon tax could be an acceptable alternative to emissions trading as a 'dangerous fallacy'.

• Don't settle for symbolic action, Gillard warned
  
• New biotech plant opens in Mackay
  
• EPHC sets out priorities for next five years

• Australian Customs launches inquiry into U.S. biodiesel exports
  
• Parliament passes building efficiency disclosure and agvet bills
  
• Energy market operator details 'hubs' proposal to grid-connect renewables

A new working group will spend six months developing a 'roadmap' on the feasibility of Australia becoming a source for alternative aviation fuels.