ALFA opposes Queensland’s ethanol mandate

The Australian Lot Feeders’ Association (ALFA) has asked the Queensland government to explain to the general public why it is pursuing a 5% mandate of ethanol content in regular unleaded fuel, when many affected stakeholders are opposed. “They lead to higher grain and food prices, potential job losses, massive compliance costs, higher fuel prices and commercialization delays for superior second generation ethanol technologies,” ALFA president Jim Cudmore said. “What few people realize is that ethanol has negligible environmental benefits (around 3 to 5%) and is actually more expensive for consumers once unleaded petrol prices exceed A$1 (US$.89) per liter, due to its lower energy content.” (August 28, 2009)