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| U.S Air Force tests biofuel at $59 per gallon |
| 2012-07-16 |
| The U.S. Navy angered Republicans by spending $26 a gallon for biofuels for this week's Great Green Fleet demonstration, but the Air Force received little attention when it paid twice as much per gallon to test synthetic jet fuel last month. The Air Force bought 11,000 gallons of alcohol-to-jet fuel from Gevo Inc, a Colorado biofuels company, at $59 a gallon in a program aimed at proving that new alternative fuels can be used reliably in military aircraft - once, that is, their pricing is competitive with petroleum, which now costs $3.60 a gallon. The cost of the Air Force demonstration - $639,000 - was far less eye-catching than the $12 million the Navy spent for biofuels to power a carrier strike group on alternative energy for a day. But it was part of the same Pentagon push, which has escalated under the administration of President Barack Obama, to adopt green solutions to rising fuel costs. Some Republican lawmakers have criticized the high price-per-gallon paid by the Navy as wasteful Pentagon spending at a time of significant budget cuts and a shrinking fleet. They have also blasted Obama for making green energy a cornerstone of his agenda, with federal funds flowing to alternative energy companies that may not make economic sense, as in the case of bankrupt solar-panel maker Solyndra. Jeff Scheib, Gevo vice president for fuels, said the alcohol-to-jet fuel made for the Air Force was expensive as it came from a small demonstration plant in Silsbee, Texas, which makes only 7,500 to 8,000 gallons of biofuel a month. Once the company builds a commercial-scale refinery, expected around 2015, "we believe we can be cost competitive on an all-in basis with petroleum jet fuel over the life of a contract," Scheib said. Pentagon officials say alternative fuel development is strategically important because the United States relies too heavily on fossil fuels from foreign sources, leaving it vulnerable to price shocks and disruptions. |
| Posted by:Beavis |
| #8 Somebody please explain, in plain English, why we're using grain for fuel? Because eco-freaks can't think more than one level deep? |
| Posted by: gorb 2012-07-16 23:36 |
| #7 Bourbon would have been cheaper. |
| Posted by: European Conservative 2012-07-16 16:39 |
| #6 The Wisconsin corn crop is going to be a total loss due to drought. Minnesota had drought followed by floods. Not sure how the rest of the corn belt is faring; doesn't look much better. Somebody please explain, in plain English, why we're using grain for fuel? |
| Posted by: mom 2012-07-16 15:45 |
| #5 SpaceX uses KeroLox on there rockets but is considering Methane in the far far future. Never did spacecraft companies consider alcohol in a modern rocket. One would think such views for space would have some effect on aircraft too. NAZI Germany did use fuels made from coal for aircraft but we know how the greenies feel about that abundant fuel. |
| Posted by: Water Modem 2012-07-16 13:21 |
| #4 It's also a "Payoff" to Obumble's friends, (He has No friends, Just moochers, that'll end when he does NOT dispense the boodle, They'll find another as quick as possible.) |
| Posted by: Redneck Jim 2012-07-16 12:51 |
| #3 Gevo CEO Patrick R. Gruber, Ph.D. – Chief Executive Officer is an "advisor" to the Energy Future Coalition. Klik The Energy Future Coalition is a nonpartisan public policy initiative that seeks to speed the transition to a new energy economy. Combining expertise and advocacy, the Coalition brings together business, labor, and environmental groups to identify new directions in energy policy with broad political support. The Energy Future Coalition works closely with the United Nations Foundation, with which it is co-located, on energy and climate policy, especially energy efficiency and bioenergy issues. The UN Foundation provides financial and in-kind support to the Coalition. Klik You decide. |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2012-07-16 10:28 |
| #2 Good thing we have a shtpot of corn just laying about. $12million parade. |
| Posted by: swksvolFF 2012-07-16 10:28 |
| #1 Using the forces as a test bed is NOT new. |
| Posted by: Redneck Jim 2012-07-16 10:26 |