European Commission opens review of Annex IX feedstocks

In Belgium, Euractiv reports that the European Commission is quietly reopening for review its controversial Annex IX dealing with feedstocks under the Renewable Energy Directive II. The REDII must be applied by European Union member states as of July 21 and there is concern by some in the biofuels industry that additional tinkering with the list could create policy instability for investors, reducing interest in investment further. Feedstocks can be added to the list as part of the various review processes but not removed. One potential controversial feedstock that may be under consideration is molasses which several argue isn’t a waste but a byproduct with an existing market and therefore shouldn’t be included as an advanced biofuel feedstock.