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Renewable Fuels Agency starts up

5th November 2007 (Source: Department for Transport )

Ruth Kelly, Transport Secretary

The Renewable Fuels Agency will be responsible for the day to day running of the Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation, coming into force in April next year. By 2010, the Obligation will mean that 5% of all the fuels sold in the UK should come from biofuels, which could save 2.6m to 3m tonnes of carbon dioxide a year.

The Chairman of the Agency will be Professor Ed Gallagher, former Chief Executive of the Environment Agency.

Joining Professor Gallagher on the Board of the Agency are:

  • Greg Archer, Director of the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership,
  • Paul Jefferiss, Director of Environmental Policy at BP,
  • Gareth Llewellyn, Director for Safety, Health, Environment and Corporate Responsibility for the National Grid
  • Brian White, Director of a biofuel trading company, BionerG Ltd.

Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly said:

"The creation of the Renewable Fuels Agency marks a big step forward in creating a strong long-term market for biofuels in the UK. I want the Agency to make sure the Obligation is run efficiently and effectively, but I also want it to take the lead in making sure the biofuels we use in this country come from sustainable sources, saving the most carbon possible. Professor Gallagher commented.

"I am very pleased and excited to have been appointed. Climate change is one of the biggest challenges that we face today and I am convinced that biofuels can have an important role in tackling it. But it is essential that they are truly sustainable. I am looking forward to working with the oil industry, biofuel companies, environmental groups, motorists and the general public to ensure that biofuels fulfil their potential."

A substantive appointment for the post of Chief Executive of the Agency will be made early next year.

Notes for Editors

  1. The Renewable Fuels Agency will officially start work in April, when the Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation comes into force. It will be based in Hastings.
  2. The Renewable Fuels Agency was formed by the Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation Order which completed its Parliamentary stages on Wednesday 24 October. The Obligation aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transport by increasing the use of renewable fuels. The Obligation will also contribute to the diversity and security of the UK's transport fuel supply and offer new opportunities to UK and international industries.
  3. When the RTFO comes into force in April 2008 it will apply across the whole of the UK. Refiners, importers and any others who supply more than 450,000 litres of fossil-based road transport fuel to the UK market will be obligated by it. By 2010 it will require 5% of all UK fuel sold on UK forecourts to come from a renewable source.

    RFA Board Members

  4. The RFA Board Members have been acting as a shadow board before the making of the order. They were appointed in accorance with the Code of Practice issued by the Commisioner of Public Appointments.

    RFA Board Members: Biographical details

  5. Professor Ed Gallagher (Chair) was previously the Chief Executive of the Environment Agency and National Rivers Authority, as well as the Manufacturing Director of Amersham International and the Director of Marketing and Product Development at Black and Decker. He has been the Chair of Energywatch since 2004, and was Governor and then Chair of Middlesex University from 1994-2004.
  6. Greg Archer is the Director of the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership. He has previously worked for the Carbon Trust and was an Associate Director of Atkins Environment.
  7. Dr Paul Jefferiss is currently Director of Environmental Policy at BP. He was previously head of Environmental Policy for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. He is a non executive director of the Carbon Trust and the SITA Trust, a board member of the Low-Carbon Vehicle Partnership and a trustee of the National Energy Foundation.
  8. Gareth Llewellyn is currently Global Director for Safety, Health, Environment and Corporate Responsibility for the National Grid. He is also a non executive director of Biffa plc and NG Property Holdings.
  9. Brian White is co founder and director of biofuel trading company, BionerG Ltd. He is currently chair of the National Energy Foundation, Non Executive Director of Xaviour Energy Ltd, Chair of Milton Keynes Energy Agency and Chair of the Milton Keynes Enterprise Hub. He was Member of Parliament for North East Milton Keynes between 1997 and 2005.

Public Enquiries:
Department for Transport Website: www.dft.gov.uk

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