Key EU lawmaker proposes new 2015 biofuel target

PARIS, July 4 (Reuters) – A key European Union lawmaker said on Friday he had broad parliamentary backing to propose changing the EU’s target for biofuels so that 4 percent of road transport fuels come from renewable sources by 2015.

Claude Turmes told Reuters one-fifth of those renewable fuels would have to be either second generation biofuels or electric vehicles. There would be a major review in 2015 to decide whether to move towards an 8-10 percent target in 2020.

Turmes, who is leading legislation on renewable energy through the European Parliament, said he had the support of socialist, liberal and conservative groups, as well as some greens, ahead of a committee vote next Monday.

A final vote would come later in the year.

Reuters