Challenges for the alternative fuel industry

The Australian alternative fuel industry faces a number of hurdles, according to a report by Rabobank. Report author Ingrid Richardson says the two biggest obstacles will be government support (in the form of mandates for biofuel use, something the federal government has been unwilling to support) and supply of feedstock to keep the biofuel plants running. In order for a biofuel plant to become a long-term proposition, it needs a few guaranteed customers and ready access to low-cost feedstock. (September 21, 2006)