Interest in Ethanol and Cleaner Fuels Goes International
Despite the tough times
facing the U.S. ethanol industry, interest continues to grow worldwide over the
use of cleaner burning motor fuels, including ethanol.
Several recent
events indicate a high level of interest from countries in reducing pollution or
decreasing their dependence on imported oil.
The World Conference on
International Fuel Quality and Vehicle Technology was held last month in
Brussels, belgium. Representatives from 30 countries gathered to assess the
status of various international fuel quality programs while reviewing the
successes to date of the U.S. reformulated gasoline program. Several countries,
including France, have indicated a preference for renewable fuel additives such
as ethanol and ETBE as a way to stimulate their agricultural economies and meet
required air pollution and carbon dioxide reductions levels.
In a related
development, Douglas Durante, Clean Fuels Development Coalition's executive
director, recently had the opportunity to speak before the United Nations as
part of the UN's efforts to establish a sustainable energy strategy. The United
Nations has issued a draft report outlining a series of steps designed to reduce
various pollutants including volatile organic compounds, air toxics, and
greenhouse gases. The sustainable energy report identifies renewable ethanol as
a key strategy towards meeting these goals. According to Durante, the United
Nations delegates were impressed with the first year results of the U.S.
reformulated gasoline program, and indicated great interest in learning more
about fuel oxygenates.
