Inquiry into mandatory ethanol and biofuels targets in Victoria: final report

This report outlines measures to facilitate the development of the biofuels and alternative fuels industries in Victoria. It argues that with current technologies biofuels will have a small role in the Australian fuel mix until true alternatives to petroleum are identified. The key recommendation of the committee is that the Victorian government does not introduce a mandatory target for biofuels use at this time. While there are some greenhouse gas emissions and air emissions benefits associated with the use of biofuels – particularly biodiesel – there appear to be marginal fuel security benefits associated with biofuels use. Consequently the committee does not believe that there is sufficient case at this time to warrant the introduction of a biofuels mandate for Victoria. Given rapid technological changes in the industry, however, the committee recommends that the overnment review the merits of a biofuels mandate by 2013