France Puts Tiger in Tank of its Biofuel Push

France revved up the engine of its bid to stay in the top ranks of European producers of “green fuels” by announcing a big tender on Tuesday for more biodiesel and ethanol.

Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin said France would also be defending the interests of farmers by launching a tender for 1.1 million tonnes of biofuel capacity by the end of the year, comprising 950,000 tonnes biodiesel and 150,000 tonnes ethanol.