Help for cabbies who switch to liquid gas

Joan Collins THE Balearic Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy is to subsidise the purchase of taxis which run on Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG), which is cheaper and more environmentally friendly than conventional fuels. This is being done under the Aid Plan 2006 for the Promotion of Energy Efficiency. Josep Juan Cardona, the Balearic Minister for Commerce, announced this yesterday during a press conference. He explained that the total amount put aside this year to encourage investment in and incorporation of energy efficient practices was just under five million euros, which is an increase of 200 percent in comparison with 2004 and 2005. Cardona highlighted the subsidies of 2'000 euros given to cabbies for the purchase of a vehicle which runs on LPG, a fuel which reduces emissions of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. There is also a subsidy of 400 euros to have existing vehicles adapted to the use of this gas. These subsidies are included in the transport section of the Energy Efficiency Plan, with a budget of 560'000 euros. Also included under this section are subsidies for efficient driving courses, as well as help for councils for traffic studies and companies for transport plans. This year's plan has doubled the funds dedicated to the purchase of energy efficient electrical household goods. This will have a budget of 1'000'000 euros in comparison to the 500'000 euros of 2005. Cardona explained that the subsidies for each purchase will remain the same, 80 euros, but the increase is to subsidise the growing demand for these products. The Minister also said that this year there was a budget of 1'330'000 to insulate buildings.