energy.agwired.com

The Department of Defense has signed a contract with Syntroleum Corp. to buy 500 gallons of biofuel made from animal fats. The feedstock for Syntroleum’s fuel would come from Tyson Foods.

This company press release says it’s a first-of-its-kind test program that is aimed to see if the military could use fuel from domestic, renewable sources:

Under terms of the contract, Syntroleum will provide 500 gallons of ultra-clean renewable synthetic jet fuel produced entirely from fats supplied by Tyson Foods, Inc., using the company’s recently announced Biofining(TM) technology. The fuel will be used for research development and performance testing in military turbine applications as part of the DOD’s Assured Fuels Program, aimed at evaluating the possibility of utilizing renewable alternative jet fuel made from bio feedstocks. The U.S. Air Force has expressed its desire to source 50 percent of its fuel needs from domestic alternative sources by 2016, and plans to certify its entire fleet of aircraft for alternative fuel use by 2010.

“This contract with the U.S. Department of Defense is another significant milestone for Syntroleum,” said Jack Holmes, CEO of Syntroleum. “When the contract is completed, we would be the first company to provide both renewable synthetic aviation fuel and FT aviation fuel to the Department of Defense for its certification and weapon system testing program. This acceptance of our alternative synthetic fuels once again validates the quality and integrity of our product, and the successful completion of this program will provide Syntroleum with an opportunity for other long-term supply contracts with the Department of Defense.”

Just a personal note from a veteran who spent a few days in the heat and sand and grit of the desert, I would have been much happier camped out next to a corn and soybean field as opposed to some berm just off the oil fields. This makes a lot of sense to me.

OK, I’m not talking about Kermit the Frog or even The Riddler – Frank Gorshin (although he was more of a green wearer, and not actually green in hue on the old Batman TV show).

But as the world gets ready to hold Live Earth, nine concerts across the globe expected to attract an audience of two billion people to draw attention to global warming, this Reuters article highlights some of the celebrities who will be taking part who do their part by using biofuels:

* DARYL HANNAH — The actress hopes to become a full time activist, campaigning on the environment and slavery. Hannah lives without mains electricity in the Rocky Mountains, using solar energy and driving a car run on biodiesel made from recycled cooking oil.

* SHERYL CROW — The singer travelled around U.S. colleges in April to raise awareness about global warming. Crow toured in a biodiesel-powered bus to university campuses with a final stop in Washington for Earth Day on April 22. Crowe and Karl Rove, political strategist to President George W. Bush, clashed over global warming at a White House dinner just after her tour.

Just yesterday, I told you about how Willie Nelson helped SeQuential Biofuels celebrate its second anniversary of its biodiesel plant in Oregon (see my post here). I guess it’s just the nature of our popular culture, but if a few of these celebs can convince more people what many in the Midwest have known for a long time… that biofuels are a viable, renewable resource right here at home… then, (green) power to them.

Iowa State University and Iowa’s Department of Natural Resources will study biodiesel and compare the different blends for engine performance and emissions.

This story in the Sioux City (IA) Journal says they’re getting money from the Central States Air Resources Agencies to conduct the study:

ISU’s Center for Transportation Research and Education will test and quantify performance of blending different fractions of biodiesel with ultra low sulfur diesel. Performance will be evaluated with zero percent biodiesel and then replicated with 2 percent, 5 percent, 10 percent and 20 percent biodiesel. Both field tests and laboratory engine dynamometer tests will be conducted. The DNR’s air quality bureau will provide grant management and technical assistance.

When ISU and DNR are done, trucking companies and transit agencies will be able to use the results to determine which is the best blend of biodiesel for their purposes. The government will also know what percentage of biodiesel gives the best emissions results compared to its performance.

Wilie Nelson will help SeQuential Biofuels celebrate its second anniversary of biodiesel production at an event tomorrow morning (July 6th) at 10:30 at the SeQuential-Pacific Biodiesel plant in Salem, Oregon.

This company press release points out that SeQuential is Oregon’s first and only commercial biodiesel production facility and only the second in the entire Pacific Northwest:

“Oregon has always been progressive in its thinking, and has been out front in every way about most major issues. This is just another example of Oregon setting a good example for the rest of the country,” said Nelson.

In December of 2006, the City of Portland became the first U.S. city to adopt a Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS). To encourage energy independence and to help reduce the impact of climate change. By November 1, 2007 all on-road gasoline sold within city limits will contain 10% ethanol and all on-road diesel will contain 5% biodiesel. The Portland ordinance expands Oregon’s annual market for biodiesel from four million to eight million gallons per year.

Of course, Willie Nelson is no red-headed stranger to biodiesel. He has his own line of the green fuel, named BioWillie, and runs his tour buses on 100% biodiesel.

Here’s a picture of the crew from SeQuential from their web site. Happy 2nd Birthday, gang!