India's new biofuels policy redrafted

The national policy on biofuels in India has been redrafted by the ministry of new and renewable energy to focus on indigenous production of biofuels as substitute to petroleum-based fuels. The redrafted policy will also work on meeting the targets for environmental protection and climate change mitigation. A strategy has been outlined by the ministry, which aims to have sustainable production and application of biofuels to attain energy security. The revised policy has been proposed to apply for the 2012-2017 period, with periodic review. The policy calls for substitution of conventional fuels by biofuels at 5% by 2012 in the short term; 10% by 2017 in the medium term; and 20% beyond 2017 in the long term. The policy has proposed setting up a National Biofuel Development Board (NBDB) to be chaired by the Prime Minister and with members drawn from the Planning Commission and other concerned ministries, including the Petroleum Ministry. The proposed NBDB would oversee planning, coordination, effective implementation and monitoring of all policy on biofuels and prepare a national roadmap for biofuel production and application. (July 31, 2008)