Australian government mulls elimination of ethanol research grants

In Australia, the federal government refused to rule out scrapping a $40 million program providing research grants for ethanol, pending review of the impact of ethanol on world food prices.

In the weeks leading up to the federal elections last November, Labor Party leader Kevin Rudd pledged $15 million toward second-generation biofuel plants, with a goal of making next-generation ethanol commercially viable by 2017.

The ruling Coalition government had proposed a $16 million program to support cellulosic ethanol research and promote biofuels education. The plan ran into opposition from the Australian Lot Feeders’ Association over the use of food crops for biofuels feedstocks.

Free Subscription to the Daily Biofuels Digest e-newsletter

Related Stories

Macquarie Oil completes 1.3 Mgy poppyseed biodiesel plant in Tasmania

In Australia, a 1.3 Mgy poppyseed biodiesel plant in Cressy, Tasmania has been completed and is expected to commence production in August. Macquarie Oil, the operator of the plant, said that they expe...

Australia pledges $15 million for second generation biofuels research grants; applications accepted through 01/2009

In Australia, the Minister for Resources and Energy announced that the government will provide $15 million in funding for a Second Generation Biofuels Research and Development Program. The program wil...

Australia’s CSR to increase ethanol capacity as demand increases

In Australia, CSR said that it will invest $17.8 million to increase its ethanol capacity to 15.8 Mgy at its plant in Sarina, in northern Queensland, and will convert all of its production to fuel-gra...

Researcher tells Aussie government: Get behind biofuels R&D before its too late

A researcher called on the Australian and South Australian governments to get behind biofuels research and development. The researcher noted that Australia's goal of 1% conversion to biofuels lags far...

South Dakota mulls 2 cent biodiesel tax break, elimination of 2 cent break for ethanol

In South Dakota, consumers are facing the elimination of a long-time 2-cent-per-gallon tax break on ethanol. The bill was introduced by legislators to add an projected $4 million to a badly depleted h...

Australian biofuels company to leave Australia; will focus on US, Europe; CEO sees lack of “support”

Australian biofuels developer Agri Energy will abandon Australia and make the US the base for its projects going forward. "The decision to put on hold any further development in the Australian biofuel...