SANTO DOMINGO.- A diversity of international organisms are working in promoting forestation with vegetable oil producing trees which would serve as raw material for the production of biodiesel as a petroleum diesel oil substitute.

Nevertheless, the main obstacle these renewable energy projects encounter comes from the State.

The diversity of organizations in charge of the energy sector and rivalries that take place between functionaries, are added to the lack of a defined legal frame for this area, commented Herman Herz, Renewable Energy Promotion Project’s main adviser.

The Industry and Commerce Ministry and the Energy National Commission often misunderstand the roll each institution should play to successfully direct the alternative energy research projects thus, hindering development at moments when petroleum experiences significant cost raises and the country most come up with an alternate source of energy to cut its dependency in fossil oil, Herz added.

The border zones, where great land extensions exist which do not support the agriculture to produce foods, is excellent for the production of Jatropha, scientific name for the Milk Pinion, a tree which produces vegetal oils necessary to produce biodiesel.

Brazil has also offered help in the production of biodiesel in the country’s South, specifically in the Bahoruco province, Brazilian government representatives have expressed their interest to sponsor the “Higuereta” production to extract oil that can be used in the production of biodiesel.

This natural fuel can be mixed with diesel oil, but also can be used solely in motor vehicles and other equipment.