Conference on the future of Australia's biofuels industry

The Biofuels Association of Australia (BAA) is this week holding its annual conference ‘A New Energy for Biofuels’. To be held on 31 October at Doltone House, Hyde Park, the conference aims to lift the focus for investment and growth in the biofuel and renewable sector.

The BAA is the peak industry body representing bioenergy producers, marketers, retailers and others with the purpose of providing leadership and facilitating the building of a sustainable, economically viable Australian biofuels industry. The association claims the future of the biofuels industry is under threat as a result of recent actions by the Australian Government, such as the excise tax on biofuels and the dumping of unsustainably sourced foreign biofuels.

“While countries across the globe have embraced biofuels, Australia is reducing support for our own fledgling biofuels industry, backing away from an energy option which not only guarantees significant economic, environmental and public health benefits but which limits our dependence on foreign imported fuels and creates employment in rural areas,” said Gavin Hughes, CEO of the BAA.

The conference will be opened by the Hon Anthony Roberts MP, NSW Minister for Resources and Energy, and Special Minister of State, Leader of the House. It will feature the following speakers:

• Garry Mulvay, Chairman, BAA - ‘Biofuels in Australia - Fuelling our Future’
• Graham Blight, Director, NRMA - ‘Securing our Future Fuels’
• Dr Geoff Morgan, Associate Professor, University Centre for Rural Health - North Coast, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney - ‘Health Impacts of Particulate Matter'
• Margaret Sewell, Head of Division, Clean Energy and Energy Efficiency, Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism - ‘Australia’s Energy Policy’
• Ivor Frischknecht, CEO, ARENA - ‘Biofuels: A Diverse and Unique Energy Source’
• Theodore Dow, Chief Investment Officer, Clean Energy Finance Corporation - ‘Strategies for Success: Financing for Biofuels Projects’

For more information on the event, visit http://www.biofuelsassociation.com.au/a-new-energy-for-biofuels.