British biofuels could help to beat soaring petrol prices
SIR – We hear much talk of a fuel crisis (report, September 13). I write as a farmer with 200 hectares of oilseed rape on our Romney Marsh land in Kent. This oilseed has a capacity to produce 290,000 litres of fuel that I could use (without any adaptation) in my car, our farm tractors and our combine harvester, or sell to my neighbours.
For the past year I have been working on a project — funded by the Regional Development Agency — to investigate the commercial viability of such a fuel source. It seems to me therefore something of a lost opportunity if our politicians react to the current crisis only by encouraging the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries to increase production. Why not instead implement the Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation or make a further minimal reduction in duty for fuel from renewable resources of domestic supply such as oilseed rape? With North Sea oil depleting and increasing reliance on Opec, it would surely be strategically prudent and economically beneficial to everyone to ensure we have our own sources of fuel available from the fertile acres of the British countryside. Andrew Martin Romney Marsh, Kent SIR – Most of us think that Americans are profligate in their use of energy, especially fuel for vehicles. It may interest readers to know that several states encourage the use of hoods over fi lling nozzles, returning the vapours to a condenser and thence as petrol back to the stock tank for resale.
This equipment is paid for by the fi lling station, and is paid back by the recovered petrol. The installation of the equipment protects customers from the toxic vapours and the environment benefits.
Tens of thousands of tons go into the atmosphere every year in the UK, and the reason we don’t have this equipment is that the Chancellor is enjoying a longstanding row with the oil companies. He wants his duty twice, upon delivery to the fi lling station and again when the recovered petrol via the condenser returns to the stock tank.
Let’s start fitting this equipment now. Francis Osborn Weymouth, Dorset SIR – So Gordon Brown told the Trades Union Congress that he understood the problems being faced by hauliers and motorists at a time when fuel prices were at a record high. May I ask how a very well-paid man who does not have to fi ll up from his own wallet understands just how we all feel? Matt Fullick Gütersloh, Germany SIR – The recent threat of petrol protests and accompanying queues at garages has once again made me wonder why the Government is not doing more to encourage the uptake of electric vehicles, and why the media is not doing more to raise public awareness of their environmental benefits (they can be charged from sustainably sourced electricity). There are already EVs on the market, some capable of 60mph and 60 miles per charge — enough for most people’s daily commute. Brian McMillan Leeds SIR – Gordon Brown, when talking about fuel prices, insists that the increase in prices is not his fault. This is true. What he fails to mention is that the total cost of fuel is his fault because he takes most of it. Grahame Atkinson Sheffield SIR – The three days of misery facing motorists (report, September 12) are preferable to the three months of misery to look forward to if you are a Conservative. Kenneth Wood Exeter