227 Deputy Liz McManus asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will provide an update on the new biomass tariffs; if he will confirm whether a State aid submission has been sent to the European Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40488/10]

In May of this year, I announced a Renewable Energy Feed In Tariff (REFIT) Scheme for electricity generated from biomass, ranging from 8.5 cent per kilowatt hour to 15 cent per kilowatt hour depending on the technology deployed. State Aid Clearance from the European Commission is required before the new feed in tariffs can be implemented. My Department is currently finalising the State Aid submission together with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland and this will be forwarded to the Commission today.

228 Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will guarantee a REFIT rate of €0.15 cent per kW-h to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny to allow them to proceed with the development of an anaerobic digester; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40532/10]

Anaerobic Digestion plants will be supported under new Renewable Energy Feed In Tariffs (REFIT) scheme for electricity generated from biomass. This scheme is not yet open to applications, and therefore no commitment can be made in relation to individual projects. State Aid Clearance from the European Commission is required before the biomass tariffs can be implemented. My Department is finalising the State Aid submission with Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland for transmission to the Commission today. There will be a number of criteria to be met by applicants under the scheme including compliance with High Efficiency CHP standards.