http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/mar/25/biofuels.energy1

The United States adopted a massive increase to the mandate of alternative fuels in the 2007 energy bill. While Europeans outpace Americans in fuel economy, they are hesitant to adopt similar mandates due to a lack of evidence showing biofuels helps combat climate change; rather, evidence is slowly piling up that says biofuels contribute more to climate change than traditional gasoline and diesel.

Under the Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation, all petrol and diesel must contain 2.5% of biofuels from April 1. This is designed to ensure that Britain complies with a 2003 EU directive that 5.75% of petrol and diesel come from renewable sources by 2010.

The EU plans to raise the compulsory biofuel quota to 10% by 2020, but [UK Prime Minister] Brown is understood to be ready to challenge this plan. A senior government source said last night: "There is a growing feeling that we need to get all the facts. Some biofuels are OK but there are serious questions about others. More work needs to be done."

Did the United States commit an egregious error by ramping up RPS without international consent? Will American automakers suffer further as American and European consumer preferences further diversify?

The Guardian UK; March 25, 2008

Submitted by B. Shapiro