Biofuels Journal 3Q_11 : Page 64

Drop-in Military Fuels U.S. Agencies Invest $510 Million For Advanced Biofuels The U.S. government will invest up to $510 million in the next three years in partnership with the private sector to produce advanced drop-in aviation and marine biofuels that can be used to power military and commercial trans-portation. Announced Aug. 16, the joint agency plan calls for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Department of Energy (DOE), and the U.S. Navy (USN) to invest a total of up to $510 million to be matched by private industry at least in a one-to-one ratio. “By building a national biofuels in-dustry, we are creating construction jobs, UHÀQHU\MREV&#0f;DQGHFRQRPLFRSSRUWXQLW\ in rural communities throughout the country,” said U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “As importantly, every gallon of biofuel consumed near where it is produced cuts transportation costs and, for the military, improves energy security.” According to Vilsack, the USDA will take the lead on addressing the avail-ability of feedstocks; the DOE will lead on the technologies to be used; and the Navy will provide a market for the fuels. “Biofuels are an important part of reducing America’s dependence on foreign oil and creating jobs here at home,” said President Barack Obama in a statement announcing the plan. “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.” Accelerate Production U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack spoke at the Wisconsin State Fair in West Allis, WI, Aug. 4. USDA Photo by Lance Cheung To accelerate the production of bio-based jet and diesel fuel for military and commercial purposes, Vilsack, Secretary of Energy Steven Chu, and Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus have developed a SODQWRMRLQWO\FRQVWUXFWRUUHWURÀWVHY -HUDOGURS
LQELRIXHOSODQWVDQGUHÀQHULHV Mabus said the announcement lever-ages domestic fuel sources to support national security. “It also helps advance the biofuels market, which ultimately brings down the cost of biofuels for everyone,” he said. Chu said the plan “will demonstrate advanced technologies to produce infra-structure-compatible, drop-in renewable fuels from America’s abundant biomass resources.” The Biotechnology Industry Organi-zation (BIO) praised the announcement. Brent Erickson, executive vice presi-dent of BIO’s Industrial & Environ-mental Section, said advanced biofuels represent the best option for meeting the needs of the military and civilian markets. ᭿ Response No. 641 64 BFJ | Third Quarter 11

Drop-In Fuels For The U.S. Military

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