India prepares policy on biofuels

The Indian government is preparing a National Policy on Biofuels to promote the use of the alternative fuel, Minister for New and Renewable Energy Vilas Muttemvar said. The policy aims at a short-term jatropha blend of 5% by 2012 and 10% by 2017. Muttemvar said the policy would recommend fixing a minimum support price for jatropha and other non-edible oilseeds. The government is also encouraging the industrial sector to increase ethanol production from non-food feedstocks. (July 6, 2007)