ASSISTANT SECRETARY, ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION BRANCH, DEPARTMENT OF SUSTAINABILITY, ENVIRONMENT, WATER, POPULATION AND COMMUNITIES
NOTICE UNDER SECTION 17E OF THE FUEL QUALITY STANDARDS ACT 2000 CONCERNING A DECISION TO VARY AN APPROVAL GRANTED UNDER SECTION 13 OF THE FUEL QUALITY STANDARDS ACT 2000
I, Andrew McNee, Assistant Secretary, Environment Protection Branch, Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, delegate of the Minister, provide the following information concerning my decision made pursuant to section 17E of the Fuel Quality Standards Act 2000 (the Act) to vary an approval granted under section 13 of the Act to add regulated persons to the approval.
Name of approval holder
On 26 February 2009, an approval was granted to Neumann Petroleum Pty Ltd (the Approval). The Approval varies the Fuel Standard (Automotive Diesel) Determination 2001 (the Diesel Determination) to permit the supply of diesel/biodiesel blend fuel as specified in the Approval. Neumann Petroleum Pty Ltd has since applied for a variation to the Approval to add two additional regulated persons under section 17E of the Act.
I have decided pursuant to section 17E of the Act to vary the Approval to add two additional regulated persons.
Period of operation
The Approval, as varied, comes into force on the date of signing and remains in force until
30 June 2014.
Details of the approval
The purpose of the variation is to add two regulated persons (as set out in the instrument of variation) to the Approval.
Background
I must have regard to the following matters set out in section 15(1) of the Act before deciding whether or not to vary the Approval:
(a) the protection of the environment
(b) the protection of occupational and public health and safety
(c) the interests of consumers, and
(d) the impact on economic and regional development.
I may also have regard to any other matters I consider relevant.
Findings on material questions of fact
(a) The protection of the environment
The derived cetane number (DCN) of diesel containing biodiesel is a measure of the fuel’s ignition qualities and is set by the automotive diesel standard at a minimum of 51. Reducing the DCN can affect vehicle emissions, however, as the automotive diesel standard permits a minimum cetane index of 46 for mineral diesel it is not expected that the Approval, which varies the DCN to a minimum of 46, will cause significant environmental impacts. It is unlikely that the addition of two regulated persons to the Approval will significantly alter the amount of fuel to be supplied under the Approval, therefore no significant additional impact on the environment is expected.
(b) The protection of occupational and public health and safety
It is unlikely that occupational and public health and safety will be significantly affected by a variation in DCN for the fuel subject to the Approval, therefore the addition of two regulated persons to the Approval is not expected to pose significant safety concerns.
(c) The interests of consumers
Although variations in biodiesel, cetane level and density can affect engine performance, on the basis of current experience, the addition of extra regulated persons to the approval is not expected to have significant impacts on consumers.
(d) The impact on economic and regional development
The Approval is expected to allow the development of markets. Two companies will benefit from their listing as Neumann Petroleum’s additional regulated persons. This may help support employment in regional areas of Western Australia.
Summary of reasons for recommendations
- The volume of fuel to be supplied under the Approval is unlikely to alter significantly by the addition of two regulated persons, therefore no significant additional impact on the environment is expected.
- The addition of two regulated persons to the Approval is not expected to pose significant safety concerns.
- The addition of two regulated persons to the Approval provides additional choice to consumers for the supply of this fuel.
- Neumann Petroleum contributes to regional economies in east coast of Australia.
Andrew McNee………….………...........................................................
Assistant Secretary, Environment Protection Branch, Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities
1 June 2013