MICKEL CONGRATULATES FREEDOM FUELS FOR BIOFUEL COMMITMENT

Minister for State Development John Mickel congratulated Freedom Fuels today for its commitment to biofuels.

“Freedom Fuels’ endorsement of ethanol blended fuel means a lot to the Queensland Government’s efforts to develop a sustainable ethanol industry,” Mr Mickel said.

“The latest addition to the ethanol distribution system in Queensland is Freedom Fuels’ Hattonvale service station on the Warrego Highway between Ipswich and Toowoomba, which was officially opened today,” he said.

“It also retails biodiesel, a renewable fuel produced from oil seed crops or animal by-products such as tallow, further helping to reduce the State’s reliance on finite and imported fossil fuels.

“The new outlet is joining a growing list of service stations throughout the State where motorists can now buy biofuels and this is an indication of the growing popularity of ethanol blended fuel and biodiesel.

““I believe motorists understand that when they use ethanol blended fuels, they use a fuel that meets Australian quality fuel standards, is cleaner for our environment, better for our health and that also prolongs the life of our existing fossil fuels,” Mr Mickel said.

According to a 2003 ABARE study, ethanol-blended fuels reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 7 per cent at the tailpipe.

“And research by the CSIRO in New South Wales suggests that for each litre of ethanol produced, there is a 2.5kg reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, that’s a good start to reducing climate change, ” Mr Mickel said.

Freedom Fuels was the one of the first companies to sign up to the Government’s $4.8 million Queensland Ethanol Conversion Initiative (QECI).

“The initiative aims to boost the consumption and distribution of ethanol blended fuels in Queensland by providing support to fuel retailers to install the fuel at the bowser,” Mr Mickel said.

“Through QECI the Government had helped Freedom Fuels convert 40 service stations to ethanol across its distribution network.

“With Hattonvale, we contributed $81,686 for the installation of new underground ethanol storage tanks with a total storage capacity of 90,000 litres and 24 new hoses that customers can use to fill up,” Mr Mickel said.

Mr Mickel added the Beattie Government would continue to work with motorists, motoring organisations and fuel companies to drive the State’s developing ethanol industry.

“The Government’s +e consumer awareness campaign is seeing positive results with recent market research showing that of those motorists surveyed over four in ten (43 per cent) recall seeing a promotion for the +e initiative or ethanol blended fuels.”

Studies show that ethanol-blended fuels actually contribute to higher efficiency combustion which offsets a lower energy content of ethanol,” Mr Mickel said.

Freedom Fuels’ Renewable Fuels Project Manager Natalie Tuffley said the company had committed $2.74 million rolling out ethanol blended fuels across its network in South-East Queensland.

“We’re committed to being an environmentally responsible company and providing ethanol blended fuels and biodiesel for our customers, plays a big part in this,” Miss Tuffley said.

Mr Mickel said the Government was confident that greater public awareness would encourage more service stations to convert more pumps to ethanol, thus making it more readily available to motorists.

To check your nearest participating service station, visit www.ethanol.qld.gov.au.

Media contact: Chris Brown 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion 3224 6784.

Freedom Fuels Natalie Tuffley’s contact details: mobile 0400 076 765.

12 December 2006