The central government announced this Tuesday morning the suspension until further notice the plan by the State refinery to replace super gasoline with an ethanol mix by the end of May.
Five days ago the Refinadora Costarricense de Petróleo (Recope) announced its intention to replace super gasoline with Eco 95, a 8% ethanol and 92% gasoline mix.
According to Recope’s plans, ethanol would also be included in regular gasoline in 2020.
“By mutual agreement between the Presidency, the minister of Energy, Carlos Manuel Rodríguez, and Recope, in the general opinion that it is necessary to postpone the launching the mixture of gasoline with ethanol,” said Alejandro Muñoz, president of Recope.
Muñoz added that the Recope would “start a socialization program with all sectors so that people have better information about the technical and bibliographical studies and, later, the Minae can develop some tools and actions that allow greater strength in terms of environmental protection.”
The central government also announced that it will begin a volunteer program for eventual users interested in using the mix.
The plan for Recope to buy ethanol was also declared void, while the ‘recurso amparo’ (writs of appeal) filed on Monday with the Constitutional Court were voided.
Muñoz said the issue of ethanol could be raised again in a year.