ASSISTANT SECRETARY, ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION BRANCH,
DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT
NOTICE UNDER SECTION 17E OF THE FUEL QUALITY STANDARDS ACT 2000 CONCERNING A DECISION UNDER SECTION 13 OF THAT ACT FOR AN APPROVAL FOR A VARIATION OF THE FUEL STANDARD (AUTOMOTIVE DIESEL) DETERMINATION 2001
I, Andrew McNee, Assistant Secretary, Environment Protection Branch, delegate of the Minister for the Environment, provide the following information concerning my decisions to grant approvals under section 13 of the Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000 (the Act).
Name of approval holder
Ashoil Pty Ltd
Period of operation
The period of operation of the approval is from the date of the approval until 30 June 2014.
Details of the approval
The approval varies the fuel standard for automotive diesel set out in the Fuel Standard (Automotive Diesel) Determination 2001 (Diesel Determination) to allow the supply of diesel containing biodiesel at levels of more than five per cent (volume by volume) but not more than 20 per cent (volume by volume).
The approval applies to fuel supplied by Ashoil Pty Ltd and is subject to conditions set out in Annexure 2 to the approval instrument and in section 17 of the Act.
Summary of reasons for the approval
I grant the approval as provided for in section 15 of the Act for the following reasons:
(a) The protection of the environment
Tailpipe emissions from diesel biodiesel blend use, compared to diesel, will have both positive and negative impacts on air quality as the level of biodiesel in the blend increases. In general, emissions of nitrogen oxides increase but particulate matter, hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide emissions all decrease.
(b) The protection of occupational and public health and safety
In terms of safety data, diesel with a biodiesel content up to 20 per cent has been shown to be similar to diesel. Its impact on occupational and public health and safety should be no greater than diesel already supplied to the market.
(c) The interests of consumers
Fuel dispensers will be clearly labelled to advise consumers that the diesel contains biodiesel and the percentage, more than five per cent volume by volume but not more than 20 per cent volume by volume. Any potential warranty issues for vehicles will, therefore, be addressed.
(d) The impact on economic and regional development
As the level of biodiesel allowed in diesel has been capped at five per cent, the industry cannot legally supply blends higher than five per cent and represent the fuel as diesel. This results in a barrier to the development of an alternative fuels market in Australia. If such approvals are not granted, the restriction of blend levels could have a negative effect on the development of the Australian biodiesel industry.
Andrew McNee
Assistant Secretary
November 2013