United States Navy Procures Historic Amount of Aviation Biofuel
The United States Navy recently purchased 450,000 gallons of algae and animal oil fat based biofuel from Louisiana based Dynamic Fuels, LLC, which is the single largest order of biofuel by the federal government in history. The biofuel is a drop-in fuel, meaning that no modifications to existing engines are necessary, and will be combined with marine diesel or aviation gas to be used in the newly formed “Green Strike Group.” The fuel combination has already been tested in the F/A – 18 fighter jet, as well as the V-22 Osprey and other sea vessels. Critics point out that the $12 million price-tag is too steep during a time which the military is already facing deep budget cuts, however, the Navy has always led the nation in transforming energy use and further, is responding to executive orders and instituted goals to invest in and to attain 50% of its fuel from renewable sources. The 450,000 gallons is only a fraction of the 1.26 billion gallons of fuel the Navy uses each year, but according to the USDA new release, the purchase “accelerates the development and demonstration of a homegrown fuel source that can reduce America’s, and our military’s, dependence on foreign oil.” The Navy’s procurement of the biofuel will enable it to test the cost and energy effectiveness on a large scale platform, which in turn could have a direct impact on the airline industry in the future.
