Biofuel growers seek urgent meeting with Lenihan

MEMBERS OF Ireland’s fledgling biofuels industry are seeking an urgent meeting with the Minister for Finance Mr Lenihan to propose a new scheme under which 5,000 trucks would be converted to run on pure plant oil.

Michael McBennett, a former president of the Irish Bioenergy Association said the move would assist hauliers in their current difficulties with the price of diesel, significantly reduce Ireland’s transport emissions, provide former sugarbeet growers with an alternative crop, and secure the volatile biofuels industry.

The proposal comes as the EU yesterday took a first step towards backing away from its target of securing 10 per cent of road transport fuels from renewable sources by 2010. But crucially the Irish plan would not involve the pure plant oil being imported from developing countries and would not impact of the “food or fuel” debate.

McBennett, who grows rapeseed and makes pure plant oil in west Dublin said the proposal must be considered urgently as the rapeseeds which will be available to make oil in 2010, will be sourced from a crop which is to be planted in eight weeks time. The proposal is being supported by haulier Jerry Kiersey of Green Tiger Express, who has a number of lorries running on pure plant oil.

According to Kiersey the proposal would fulfil the Government’s plan to source transport fuel from renewable energy, and would do it in such a way as to save money on greenhouse gas payments which the State is facing under the EU Emissions trading scheme.

The proposal is also supported by Peter O’Neill of vehicle convertors ecomotion.ie. He claims the delay proposed by the Department of Energy will see many people who have received government grants to convert vehicles, or set up mills leave the industry for good.