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U.S.-EU biodiesel "splash and dash" tariff fight escalating

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 16:05:00 +0000

While biodiesel advocates go about setting up sustainability principles , the EU and the U.S. are in a growing dispute over the biofuel. The problem is that the Europeans see the $1-a-gallon tax credit that the U.S. provides for B99 (made up of 99 percent biodiesel and one percent petro-diesel) as an unfair subsidy that is harming the European biodiesel market. The EU’s response: slap new (but temporary) tariffs on biodiesel imports from the U.S., maybe. The European Commission is looking into applying the tariffs, and should make a decision by March 13. One of the big problems, according to an article in the Seattle TImes , is a practice called “splash and dash.” This is when American producers import pure (that is, B100) biodiesel made somewhere else, add a bit of petro-diesel to the fuel and collect the tax credit and then ship the biodiesel to Europe. This has been going on for years . The Financial Times says that the American companies’ practices are pushing biodiesel prices in Europe down by between 89 and 99 U.S. cents per gallon. The U.S.’s National Biodiesel Board says European comanies are “not being hurt by US competition,” and wants the U.S. to take action against the EU through the World Trade Organization. Sigh. [Source: Seattle TImes , Financial Times ] Photo by ? Redvers . Licensed under Creative Commons license 2.0. Auto Blog: Biodiesel , Legislation and Policy , Europe/EU , USA U.S.-EU biodiesel “splash and dash” tariff fight escalating originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 23 Feb 2009 17:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green

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U.S.-EU biodiesel "splash and dash" tariff fight escalating

Mitsubishi iMiEV New Zealand tour ‘Tubed and Twittered

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 15:16:00 +0000

Click above and scroll down to watch the video As we informed you last week, Mitsubishi and Meridian Energy have brought the iMiEV to New Zealand to introduce Middle Earth to the electric car concept. To help with that outreach, they have an expanded web presence that includes a microsite, a YouTube vid and an impressive social networking effort. If you’re a Twittering fool, you can follow them there and learn about its various reviews and appearances, including this cool one from iMotormag . Their Facebook account already has a few dozen fans and features photo galleries and a way to connect with other Kiwis excited about the car. Interested in having an i MiEV of your own? Just like the UK site , the microsite has a place to tell Mitsubishi you want a battery-powered vehicle and allows you to check out the tour schedule. We suspect this iMiEV motherlode should be enough to tide most readers over until the upcoming reveal of the updated left-hand-drive version is made. If not, hit the jump to view video of the car in New Zealand. [Source: YouTube ] Continue reading Mitsubishi iMiEV New Zealand tour ‘Tubed and Twittered Auto Blog: EV/Plug-in , Mitsubishi , Pacific Region Mitsubishi iMiEV New Zealand tour ‘Tubed and Twittered originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 23 Feb 2009 16:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds .Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green

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Mitsubishi iMiEV New Zealand tour ‘Tubed and Twittered

Branson wants to buy Honda team only if F1 goes green and cuts costs

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 14:27:00 +0000

Richard Branson would like to go racing with his Virgin brand that is known around the world. The withdrawal of Honda from Formula One at the close of 2008 provided a perfect opportunity to pick up all the pieces that are needed on the cheap. But you don’t get to be as wealthy as Sir Richard by doing dumb stuff, and Branson is apparently aware of Roger Penske’s warning about using racing to make small fortunes out of large ones. Therefore, before he proceeds with taking on the remnants of Honda’s F1 effort, he wants to see some real change in the way F1 is run. Branson wants teams participating in F1 to be able to make ends meet – and with sponsors dropping like flies that’s becoming increasingly difficult. The other thing Branson wants is to see F1 get more green by promoting new fuel saving technologies. Aside from adopting hybrid KERS systems for 2009, F1 hasn’t done much in this regard. If anything, most of the recent cost cutting moves have actually tended to choke off innovation rather than foster it. Perhaps Branson should be looking to Le Mans-style racing instead of Formula 1, since series like ALMS are actively promoting alternative energy . [Source: F1-Live ] Auto Blog: Honda , Racing Branson wants to buy Honda team only if F1 goes green and cuts costs originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 23 Feb 2009 15:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green

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Branson wants to buy Honda team only if F1 goes green and cuts costs