Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOC) is studying various options to start production of ethanol. Currently, to sell mandatory five per cent ethanol-blended petrol, IOC has been procuring ethanol from other suppliers. 10 per cent blending will become effective from October 2008. Read more..

 Rush for corn-based ethanol to affect marine ecosystem

The US government's rush to produce corn-based ethanol as a alternative fuel will worsen the already low oxygen areas in the Gulf of Mexico and will affect fish and aquatic life, according to a new study from University of British Columbia. The study argues that increased ethanol production would require increased land and increased use of nitrogen fertilizer which in turn will lead to nitrogen pollution in rivers and ultimately to gulf of Mexico. The study found that nitrogen loading by the Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico would increase by 10-19 per cent. Read more..

 Biodiesel plantations in Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh will raise biodiesel Plantations (mainly of pongamia) over 8,800 hectares spreading over 16 districts of state. The total cost for plantation has been estimated at Rs.2341.49 lakh of which Rs.2224.46 lakh is loan component from the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) and Rs.117.03 lakh is Government share.  Read more...