New Zealand to give out biodiesel grants

The New Zealand government has decided to give the local biodiesel industry a boost with a NZ$36 million (US$22.83 million) subsidy over the next three years. Energy Minister Gerry Brownlee said the upcoming budget would include a biodiesel grant fund that would be spread out over three years. The grants will be available to domestic biodiesel producers. Some biodiesel is already being produced in the country from waste cooking oil, tallow and rape seed oil for vehicles, boats and boilers. (May 19, 2009)