Alternative Fuels around the World

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Brazil Biotech Company and Government Agency Join To Test Biodiesel Crops
Terasol LABS and the Brazilian Government's Office of Support for Micro and Small Enterprises (SEBRAE-CE) have partnered to develop test plantations in Ceara, Brazil. The collaboration will investigate jatropha and other biodiesel feedstocks. "The partnership is vital because it allows small local producers to access high technology for use in oil crop production," said Germano Parente Bluhm, Coordinator for Agribusiness at SEBRAE-CE. "Moreover, this initiative compliments the state policies of promoting biodiesel."

United States and China To Increase Cooperation on Vehicle Efficiency
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the China's Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) have signed a five-year agreement to promote large-scale deployment of next-generation efficiency vehicle technologies in the two countries, specifically focusing on electric, hybrid-electric, fuel cell, and alternative fuel technologies. The agreement falls under the umbrella Agreement on Cooperation in Science and Technology between the U.S. and Chinese governments and implements a protocol for cooperation in the fields of energy efficiency and renewable energy technology development and utilization between DOE and MOST.

Annual Finland Car Tax To Be Linked to Emissions
The Finland government is preparing reforms to car taxation that would take the vehicle's emission levels into account. The change is set to take place in two years. Currently most car owners pay a vehicle tax of $184 a year. Under the planned model, the owner of a small car with low emissions would pay $70. The owner of a four-wheel drive SUV with a large petrol engine would be hit with an annual $460 car tax.

DOE Secretary Discusses Energy Diversity in Italy
U.S. Secretary of Energy Samuel W. Bodman delivered remarks at the 20th World Energy Congress Ministerial Forum in Italy, highlighting the importance of robust investments in a diversity of energy supplies and breakthrough technologies to meet growing global demand for energy. "To increase global energy security, producing and consuming nations alike must make robust investments in a diversity of energy sources, accelerate efforts to increase energy efficiency, and rapidly deploy advanced clean energy technologies to meet growing energy demand and sustain economic growth," said Secretary Bodman.

Report Indicates South African Biofuel Market To Grow Significantly
Research and Markets has issued a report indicating that significant growth in the biofuels market will occur in South Africa. "The market for biofuels production in South Africa stands at the door of an exciting growth period with the country having much to gain from decreased dependence on imported fossil fuel products, while, at the same time, stimulating additional sectors — specifically the agricultural industry with a high potential to increase employment," said a Reseach and Markets analyst.

First Biogas Installation for Domestic and Transport in Use in Netherlands
The first installation in the Netherlands that retrieves biogas from the sewage treatment process for domestic and transport use officially entered service in the city of Beverwijk this month. The system from BioGast Sustainable Energy upgrades biogas resulting from the fermentation of sewage sludge to natural gas that is then fed into the gas grid of ENECO Energie.

Queen Elizabeth Addresses Environmental Issues in Annual Speech to Parliament
In her annual speech, Queen Elizabeth of England introduced a new energy bill to be reviewed by Parliament. "My government is committed to protecting the environment and to tackling climate change, both at home and abroad. A bill will be brought forward to make the United Kingdom the first country in the world to introduce a legally binding framework to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. My government will introduce legislation to provide clean, secure, and affordable supplies of energy," said the Queen.