In line with the Philippine Biofuels Bill of 2006 is the creation of a National Biofuels Board (NBB). Covered in Section 9 of the provisions is the mandate and powers of the NBB.
The NBB is tasked to monitor the implementation of the Biofuels Program as well as evaluate it for future expansion. It is also tasked to monitor the supply and utilization of biofuels and biofuel-blended fuels and recommend appropriate measures to the Department of Energy (DOE) in cases of shortage of feedstock.
In line with this monitoring, the NBB has the following powers:
- To require all involved in production, blending and distribution to submit actual reports of projected sales and inventory.
- Determine availability of locally-sourced biofuels and recommend to the DOE the level or percentage to the annual volume of fuel sold and distributed in the Philippines.
It is also tasked to review and recommend to the DOE the appropriate minimum percentage of biofuels to be mixed with the national fuel supply, however they can only decrease the minimum blend within the first 4 years of effectivity of the act. Meaning that they cannot go below 1% for biodiesel and 5% of ethanol after 4 years when the Act is implemented.
They are also tasked to devise and recommend a program to ensure the availability of alternative fuel technology to vehicles, engines and parts in keeping in line with the minimum biofuels blended with the fuel supply and that will also maximize further the use of biofuels.
The NBB is further tasked to recommend a biofuel-blend in air transport while keeping in mind safety and technical viability. This will probably be further off and not likely in the near future. The best for this that I’m thinking is for the NBB to take a wait and see attitude as to what the other countries are testing with their jet fuel with regards to mixing biofuels in it.
Category: Misc, Biodiesel, Bioethanol, Law
