Ethanol mandate to boost clean energy sector jobs

The Palaszczuk Government has today introduced legislation into State Parliament that will require fuel sellers to meet targets for the sale of ethanol-blended petrol and bio-based diesel.

Minister for Energy and Water Supply Mark Bailey said the proposed mandates outlined in the Liquid Fuel Supply (Ethanol and Other Biofuels Mandate) Amendment Bill 2015 will help Queensland transition to a clean energy economy, grow our biofuels and bio-manufacturing sectors and boost jobs across the industry, especially in regional Queensland.                       

“Earlier this year I released a discussion paper, Towards a clean energy economy: achieving a biofuel mandate for Queensland and my department and I have been consulting widely with industry, interest groups and motorists on our biofuel mandate policy,” Mr Bailey said.

“Nearly 300 people attended community forums held across the state throughout June, and we received 88 submissions in response to the discussion paper from a range of groups including fuel suppliers, ethanol producers, consumer representatives and members of the community. 

“This strong feedback demonstrates a high level of interest in our biofuels industry and has helped shape the development of the Liquid Fuel Supply (Ethanol and Other Biofuels Mandate) Amendment Bill 2015.

“The Bill introduced into Parliament today includes an initial two per cent ethanol mandate for petrol and a half a per cent biobased diesel mandate.

“In practical terms, this mandate will require E10 to make up 20 per cent of regular petrol sales in Queensland.”

Mr Bailey said the Bill was intended to stimulate growth and encourage investment in the biofuels and bio-manufacturing industries, while maintaining consumer choice.

“Regular unleaded petrol will still be available for those who can’t or don’t want to use ethanol fuels,” Mr Bailey said.

ENDS

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