2023 Author: Eric Donovan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-21 15:44
The expansion of biofuels is to be slowed down. In addition, the tax rate on biodiesel will only be increased by three cents.
The federal government wants to slow down the expansion of biofuels planned up to now in the years up to 2014. That was decided by the cabinet in Berlin on Wednesday. The aim of the draft law presented by Federal Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel (SPD) is, among other things, to avoid competition for cultivation areas for biofuel and food, reported the Environment Ministry.
18 cents tax
At the same time, when expanding biofuels, greater attention should be paid to the fact that green fuel production does not burden the climate balance. At the same time, the tax rate for pure biodiesel is only to be increased from 15 to 18 cents per liter from the beginning of 2009 and not to 21 cents as previously decided.
The statutory annual increase in the minimum admixture of eco-fuel to fossil diesel fuel and petrol will be reversed. Instead, the addition - calculated based on the energy content - will be reduced in 2009 from 6.25 to 5.25 percent. In 2010 it will be increased slightly to 6.25 percent and will be frozen at this level up to and including 2014. The level of the quotas will be reviewed in 2011.
From around 2015, the law will rely on so-called second-generation green fuels, the production of which should be more climate-friendly. This question of sustainability should play an increasing role. With the amendment to the law, biomethane processed from biogas should for the first time be counted towards the minimum admixture percentage under certain conditions. (dpa)
