Wednesday, Feb 16, 2005 at 23:17
Jolly,
There's a bunch of interesting stuff happening along lines of excise, Kyoto and emissions. I came across this today which is pretty much about the same issue.
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RENEWABLE TRANSPORT JUST AN EXCISE SHIFT AWAY
Senator Lyn Allison
Parliamentary Leader and Democrats Senator for Victoria
Australian Democrats spokesperson for Transport
Australian Democrats spokesperson for Energy and Resources
The Australian Democrats have welcomed the South Australian Governments decision to run its public transport on biodiesel and called on the Federal Government to modify excise rules to encourage other states to follow suit.
Senator Lyn Allison, Democrats Leader said the Federal Government should be providing incentives for State Governments to operate public transport fleets on biodiesel, particularly those in sensitive marine environments.
"Biodiesel is potentially much less damaging to the marine environment and could be used on
Sydney Harbour, the Barrier Reef,
Brisbane river ferries, and many other applications, but it would require the Federal Government to extend the off-road diesel rebate scheme to 100% biodiesel applications," Senator Allison said.
Last year the ACT Government took up the suggestion of then ACT Democrat MLA Roslyn
Dundas to run ACT buses on biodiesel.
"State and Local Governments are in a perfect position to generate demand for the fledgling biodiesel industry through fuel purchasing decisions in their extensive diesel powered fleets. The Federal Government needs to act to encourage other states to pursue this option," Senator Allison said.
Biodiesel currently only qualifies for the rebate scheme if it is mixed with petro-diesel - this blend is much more harmful for the marine environment in the event of spills.
Biodiesel is produced from natural resources such as canola oil or tallow and has a cleaner burn which therefore reduces particulate emissions. Biodiesel is a renewable fuel and is 100% biodegradable.
"Biodiesel should be encouraged not only to reduce greenhouse emissions, but also to reduce particulate emissions that cause of respiratory illnesses," Senator Allison said.
"Shifting to this renewable fuel also has the potential to reduce risks to our waterways."
"If the Government won't sign up to Kyoto, they should at least take simple measures to help reduce emissions in other ways," Senator Allison concluded.
To view this Press Release, follow this Link
http://www.democrats.org.au/news/index.htm?press_id=4403&display=1
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