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In some countries, biodiesel is less expensive than regular diesel. Image via the Creative Commons.
Initiative could spur development of low-carbon fuel for commercial and military jets and ships
By Summit Voice
SUMMIT COUNTY — The long-touted but still-nascent biofuels industry may get a boost from a $510 million initiative announced Aug. 16 by President Obama. With the funding, the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Energy and Navy will partner with the private sector to produce advanced drop-in aviation and marine biofuels to power military and commercial transportation.
The initiative responds to a directive from President Obama issued in March as part of his Blueprint for A Secure Energy Future, the Administration’s framework for reducing dependence on foreign oil. The biofuels initiative is being steered by the White House Biofuels Interagency Work Group and Rural Council, both of which are enabling greater cross-agency collaboration to strengthen rural America.
“Biofuels are an important part of reducing America’s dependence on foreign oil and creating jobs here at home,” said President Obama. “But supporting biofuels cannot be the role of government alone. That’s why we’re partnering with the private sector to speed development of next-generation biofuels that will help us continue to take steps towards energy independence and strengthen communities across our country.”
Increased use of advanced biofuels is a key component of the Administration’s energy security agenda, but there is currently a lack of this manufacturing capability for next-generation drop-in biofuels in the United States. To accelerate the production of bio-based jet and diesel fuel for military and commercial purposes, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, Secretary of Energy Steven Chu, and Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus have developed a plan to jointly construct or retrofit several drop-in biofuel plants and refineries. This effort will help address energy security and national security challenges, and will provide economic opportunities in rural America.
“America’s long-term national security depends upon a commercially viable domestic biofuels market that will benefit taxpayers while simultaneously giving Sailors and Marines tactical and strategic advantages,” said Navy Secretary Ray Mabus. “Today’s announcement not only leverages our home grown fuel sources to support our national security, but it also helps advance the biofuels market, which ultimately brings down the cost of biofuels for everyone.”
“By building a national biofuels industry, we are creating construction jobs, refinery jobs and economic opportunity in rural communities throughout the country,” said Agriculture Secretary Vilsack. “As importantly, every gallon of biofuel consumed near where it is produced cuts transportation costs and, for the military, improves energy security.”
“These pioneer plants will demonstrate advanced technologies to produce infrastructure-compatible, drop-in renewable fuels from America’s abundant biomass resources,” said Energy Secretary Chu. “It will support development of a new, rural-focused industry that will replace imported crude oil with secure, renewable fuels made here in the U.S.”
The joint plan calls for the three Departments to invest a total of up to $510 million, which will require substantial cost share from private industry – of at least a one to one match. The partnership aims to reduce U.S. reliance on foreign oil and create jobs while positioning American companies and farmers to be global leaders in advanced biofuels production. The United States spends more than $300 billion on imported crude oil per year. Producing a domestic source of energy provides a more secure alternative to imported oil and improves our energy and national security.
Filed under: agriculture, energy, Environment, renewable energy, Summit County news Tagged: | Barack Obama, biofuels, energy, Environment, Steven Chu, Summit County News, United States
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Innovative energy underwrites coverage of energy stories.
2 years a go the Air Force and NASA ran a test using the NASA B-52 at the Edwards Flight Test Center. One engine was specifically isolated to run on a test synthetic fuel. Never did hear how it came out. But if the test failed, using a B-52, you would think someone would have raised a stink.
The Virgin Airlines boss, Sir Richard, proved that indeed, jets could run on bio fuel when he flew one of his jets on the stuff. Considering the present state of classification here in the U.S., on just about everything the Government does, probably even relief breaks, we wouldn’t hear whether or not the test was a success or failure.
That said, this is just another feel good gimme for the industry. The Government has been doing this sort of thing since who knows when? The Government in essence guarantees the monetary outlay[s] of the Industry for the costs incurred, both in the design, build, running of, along with employment costs too.
One look at the Ethanol business today, the costs of turning Corn into fuel, as well as the costs to the rest of the World, from animal feed stock to food for the humans, is perhaps the biggest waste of the taxpayers dollar.
Jobs! Just how many will result from this up to $510 million figure? More smoke & mirrors. Payoffs to the Industry & its cronies, again at the expense of the tax payers. Until the American public wakes up from drinking the laced kool aid, then the subterfuge will continue.