On the eve of a key meeting of European energy ministers to discuss the EU’s biofuels strategy (The Energy Council meets on 8 June and will be discussing and publishing the Council’s conclusions on the EU’s ‘Biomass Action Plan’.), three  European environmental organisations have warned that EU policies promoting biofuels may cause more environmental damage than the conventional fuels they are designed to replace if important environmental safeguards are not put in place.

At the conference, A sustainable path for biofuels in the EU, organised by EEB, BirdLife International and Transport and Environment (T&E), the three organisations called on the European Commission to introduce sustainability safeguards as part of the ongoing revision of the Biofuels Directive. Participants, including Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas, heard that without safeguards, greenhouse gas (GHG) savings will be
negligible, biodiversity will be harmed, and ultimately the public could reject biofuels if they are not seen to be a credible environmental alternative to fossil fuels.

The EU has called for public feedback on its Biofuels Directive (Directive 2003/30/EC).  Its "Biofuels Directive Review and Progress Report" consultation period will end 10 July 2006. Contributions should be sent to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , and will be published on-line.  

The Bioethanol Standard Report AL-041 "Elaboration and Adoption of Standards Concerning Quality Specifications and Test Methods for Bioethanol to be

used as Automotive Fuel in Concentrations Between 0 and 100%" has been published, and sets out the European standards for bioethanol.

 

 

The European Biodiesel Board (EBB) has published its annual country-by-country biodiesel production statistics for the European Union area. 

 

Production in the EU 25 has increased from 1.9 million tons in 2004 to 3.2 million tons in 2005. This represents an unprecedented 65% yearlygrowth. Increase in production between 2003-4 was 35%.

 

In comparison, the estimated total 2005 production figure for the US, the world's second largest producer, is estimated at 250,000 tons. 

 

The number of countries in the EU with a biodiesel industry has almost doubled during 2005, from 11 at the start of the year to 20 now. Biodiesel production capacity is estimated to reach 6 million tons during 2006.

 

 

June 7 2006. – The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) today announced that SoyMor Biodiesel LLC of Albert Lea Minnesota has achieved BQ-9000 accreditation under the National Biodiesel Accreditation Program. BQ-9000 is a voluntary fuel quality program adopted by both NBB and the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association.  

Sioux Falls, SD – The Broin Companies today announced plans for development and construction of Premier Ethanol, LLC near Portland, Indiana. The 120 million gallon per year (MGPY) project will be constructed in two phases with the first phase of 60 MGPY in production capacity. When both phases are complete, the project will utilize 42 million bushels of corn.

Indiana Lt. Governor Becky Skillman has announced the 2006 Biofuels Award winners.

As of June 1 2006 E85 is legal for retail sale in the state of Florida. State fuel regulations have, until now, prohibited the sale of this product to the public.

Earlier this year, Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture and Human Services, Charles Bronson, held a ‘Farm to Fuel’ meeting in Tallahassee, Florida,

bringing together representatives from many different sectors of the bio-fuel industry to discuss opportunity and strategy for growers and producers.