What is in this article?:
- Flying High on Biodiesel | Soy Biodiesel, Asphalt Sealer Find Favor with Air Force
- On the runway
- Boasting about biodiesel
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The U.S. military uses more than 360 million gallons of diesel fuel per year – which means there’s huge potential for soy biodiesel to be used in America’s military fleet as a renewable, earth-friendly fuel alternative. And, some branches of the military already have begun that conversion to biodiesel.
The Air Force used 4 million gallons of biodiesel in 2008 and now boasts 63 biodiesel stations – the most in the Department of Defense. The military’s efforts to use more biodiesel also helped earn three White House Closing-the-Circle (CTC) awards in 2009. The awards are given annually to recognize outstanding examples of environmental stewardship by federal employees and facilities. Recipients included:
- Jeffrey Grages, U.S. Air Force Vehicle and Equipment Management Support Office, who earned a CTC Award in the alternative fuel and fuel conservation in transportation category, in part for increasing the Air Force’s biodiesel use.
- Robins Air Force Base in Georgia, which made use of a B20 blend of biodiesel mandatory in all diesel-powered vehicles on the base, earned an award in the green purchasing category. Robins purchased 173,000 gal. of biodiesel in 2008. The base continues to look for ways to grow even greener, evaluating biobased hydraulic fluids, engine oil, antifreeze, solvents and cleaners.
- The 179th Airlift Wing of the U.S. Air National Guard in Ohio won an honorable mention in the green purchasing category for its use of B20 in almost all of its diesel vehicles.
