New law changes percentages of biodiesel addition to common diesel oil

In line with the Brazilian strategy to combat climate change, a commitment made by the Federal Government at the COP Climate Conference, held last year in Paris, President Dilma Rousseff sanctioned a bill authored by Senator Donizeti Nogueira (PT-GO), which foresees a gradual annual increase in the percentage of biodiesel mixed with diesel.

Enacted on March 23, 2016, Law 13.263 makes it mandatory to add, in volume, biodiesel to diesel oil sold to the final consumer, in any part of the national territory, in proportions of 8% in the first year, counting from the date of the promulgation of said law, 9% in the second year, until reaching 10% in the third year.

The law also authorizes the National Energy Policy Council (CNPE) to increase the mandatory mixture of biodiesel to diesel oil by up to 15%, after carrying out tests and tests on engines that validate the use of the mixture.

The increase in the percentage of biodiesel mixed with common diesel, called B7, which is currently 7%, presents, in addition to being an environmental precaution, with the reduction of pollutants in the atmosphere, as it is a renewable fuel, a bias economic and social, as it provides incentives for the internal production of the main biofuel raw materials, that is, oilseed plants in general, such as soybeans, corn, castor beans, sunflower, etc.

The social character is linked to the generation of jobs, especially in rural areas, due to the increase in the cultivation of products used by biodiesel, making this fuel an important alternative for social inclusion and increased income, especially for those families who use family farming.

For the Senator, author of the PL, “This is a unique project because it has positive impacts in different areas. Important for the country to contribute to the goals presented at COP 21, important because it boosts the economy and gives the sector predictability, strengthens the Brazilian energy matrix with clean energy, and helps combat pollution”.

The expectation of consumers, especially transport and logistics companies, given the high volume of diesel consumed daily, is that the price of this fuel will be reduced as a result of these new mixtures, given the favorable scenario - environmental, economic and social - , which is being designed with this new energy source.