India’s petroleum ministry cracks down on biodiesel use

In India, a biofuels crusader has filed suit against a circular drawn up by the national ministry of petroleum and natural gas which aims to “ensure the unauthorised sale and possession of bio-diesel in the market is checked and eliminated”.

The circular halted supply of biodiesel to Calcutta Tramways Company (CTC), which had converted to biodiesel in a bid to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent. The ban has come despite legislation by the national government exempting biodiesel from state taxation, and despite the establishment of numerous biodiesel companies. India imports 70 percent of its fossil fuels, which is considered a major drain on foreign currency reserves.

Free Subscription to the Daily Biofuels Digest e-newsletter

Related Stories

EPA cracks down on illicit E30 usage at behest of American Petroleum Institute

In South Dakota, the EPA is attempting a crackdown on the use of E30 by non flex-fuel cars. A letter released by the agency requested that retailers put warning labels on E30 gas pumps, and locking me...

India’s Orissa state moves on jatropha project

In India, Orissa state's Science and Technology Department has developed a plan for a 3700 acre jatropha project and will spend $1 million in support of it, while seeking project financing. The govern...

India’s Hindustan Petroleum to restart two sugarcane mills, add 24 Mgy to Indian ethanol capacity

In India, Hindustan Petroleum said that it will invest $116 million to re-start sugarcane mills it has acquired in Bihar. The plants will produce sugar, ethanol and 100 MW of power from sugarcane baga...

Malaysia proposes B5 mandate for public transport

In Malaysia, the Plantation Industries and Commodities Ministry said that it will introduce and push for a biodiesel mandate for public transportation. The ministry said that 500,000 tonnes of B5 biod...

PTT and Bank Chek debut E20 at 15 outlets in Bangkok

PTT and Bang Chak Petroleum began selling E20 at 10 PTT stations and five Bang Chak Petroleum stations in Bangkok. Bang Chak plans to increasing the number of outlets to 20 in February. The retail pr...

Indian petrol ministry expresses doubt on meeting new ethanol mandate

In India, the petroleum and natural gas ministry has expressed skepticism on the 10 percent ethanol mandate scheduled for October 2008. The officials say that sugar cane production is too cyclical in ...