Wednesday, June 18, 2008

WEDNESDAY-18 JUNE 2008- BIODIESEL CAN BE ALTERNATIVE TO PETROLEUM, SAYS INDUSTRY PLAYER



Biodiesel can be alternative to petroleum, says industry player



KOTA KINABALU:



Biodiesel has the potential to become the alternative to petroleum, according to Russel Teall, President of US-based Biodiesel Industries He said biodiesel, made from vegetable oils and animal fats, needed to be considered an alternative source of energy as the global demand for petroleum had exceeded the discovery of new reserves. “Our challenge is to make this transition now before the growing global demand for energy has significant political and environmental consequences,” he said in his working paper on “Entrepreneurial Promise of Renewable Energy to Meet Energy Demand”. The paper was presented in conjunction with the Second International CEOs Conference being held here yesterday. Teall said biodiesel was non-toxic, biodegradable and produced from renewable resources, thus reducing green house gases. “The feedstocks used can be grown and harvested in a socially responsible manner that respects the environment and supports the farmer,” he said. “Communities and governments should rethink their needs and strive to find sustainable, non-polluting alternatives to petroleum,” he added.