South Korea to mandate biodiesel use by 2012

South Korea has decided to make the use of biodiesel mandatory starting 2012, one year earlier than originally scheduled, in an effort to reduce the consumption of fossil fuel. The Ministry of Knowledge Economy, responsible for energy, industry and commerce, has set the required biodiesel blend at 2% from 2012 under a Renewable Portfolio Standard, which is aimed at boosting supplies of renewable energy. “This is expected to help in the recycling of waste resources and raise the country’s energy independence,” the ministry said in a statement. (January 7, 2011)