The events of the past few years have made it clear that the United States can no longer ignore the threats to its economy, climate and national energy security rising from its dependence on petroleum fuel. Continue reading Why Algae?
Author: Carrie Cox
Groups Ask Congressional Armed Services Committee Leaders to Support Production of Advanced Aviation Biofuels
WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 7, 2012) – The Advanced Biofuels Association, the Algae Biomass Organization, Airlines for America, the Biotechnology Industry Organization, and the National Farm Bureau Federation today wrote leaders of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees, asking them to support the Department of Defense’s (DoD) commitment to accelerate production of American-made, advanced, “drop-in” biofuels for use in military jets, ships, and vehicles.
The letter states:
“Continued reliance on foreign oil puts U.S. troops at risk of supply disruptions during military or humanitarian missions. Moreover, the oil market is unpredictable and the price per barrel of oil often has dramatic fluctuations, which wreaks havoc on military budgets. In fiscal years 2011 and 2012, for instance, DoD came up $5.6 billion short in its budget for military operations and maintenance because it spent more on fuel than anticipated.
“Budget shortfalls associated with fuel price spikes force military leaders to make tough decisions, such as asking Congress for supplemental resources that are difficult to secure in tough budget times or cutting back on steaming hours and flight training. Meanwhile, U.S. advanced biofuel producers have made rapid progress toward cost-competitiveness. Per gallon cost of test quantities of advanced biofuels under Navy contracts has declined more than 90 percent over the past two years and will continue to decline as these technologies scale to commercial production. DoD’s efforts to reduce use of foreign oil and increase use of American biofuels can provide more certainty for military fuel purchasers and therefore reduce the Department’s massive operational cost overruns.”
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About ABFA
As a leading voice for America’s domestic biofuels industry, the Advanced Biofuels Association, ABFA, represents companies deploying advanced and renewable technologies that are helping drive America’s new economy by creating jobs, reducing our dependence on foreign oil and fossil fuels while fueling a sustainable future for the world. A national organization based in Washington, D.C., the ABFA supports federal investment while encouraging public policies that are consistent, technology neutral, utilize sustainable feedstocks and offer subsidy parity. For more information http://www.advancedbiofuelsassociation.com/
About the Algae Biomass Organization
The Algae Biomass Organization (ABO) is a 501 c(6) non-profit whose mission is to promote the development of viable commercial markets for renewable and sustainable commodities derived from algae. Its membership is comprised of people, companies and organizations across the value chain. More information about ABO, including its leadership, membership, costs, benefits and members and their affiliations, is available at the website:www.algaebiomass.org.
About A4A
Annually, commercial aviation helps drive more than $1 trillion in U.S. economic activity and nearly 10 million U.S. jobs. A4A airline members and their affiliates transport more than 90 percent of all U.S. airline passenger and cargo traffic. For more information about the airline industry, visit www.airlines.org and follow us on Twitter @airlinesdotorg.
About BIO
BIO represents more than 1,100 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products. BIO also produces the BIO International Convention, the world’s largest gathering of the biotechnology industry, along with industry-leading investor and partnering meetings held around the world. BIO produces BIOtech NOW, an online portal and monthly newsletter chronicling “innovations transforming our world.” Subscribe to BIOtech NOW.
About American Farm Bureau Federation
AFBF is the unified national voice of agriculture, working through our grassroots organizations to enhance and strengthen the lives of rural Americans and to build strong, prosperous agricultural communities.
Algae – The Original Fuel
Putting algae in your gas tank sounds pretty crazy, doesn’t it? Well, guess what – you’re already driving on fuel made from algae. That’s because the crude oil miles below the earth’s surface was actually formed by layers of prehistoric algae blooms that settled on sea beds around the world. Continue reading Algae – The Original Fuel
Food and Feed Industry Looks to Algae
Algae have great potential to play a role in food production since they contain carbohydrates, proteins and vegetable oils, in particular omega-3 fatty acids. This makes them a great source of animal and fish feed—a fact that has not escaped the world’s food producers as they try to meet increasing global demand.
Many of today’s algae companies are readying themselves to meet that demand in food markets, while simultaneously preparing to enter fuel, fertilizer, pharmaceutical, and other markets.
One example can be found it today’s Biofuels Digest. Jim Lane explains how a recent investment in one algae company is bringing together two of the largest food conglomerates in the world.
Arizona’s Algae Advantage
We noted a few days ago that Arizona Governor Jan Brewer recently signed two bills granting algaculture an agricultural property tax rate and allowing it on Arizona trust land. In a recent USA Today op-ed two of the state’s algae industry experts chime in on their thoughts about this approach.
Gary Dirks, director of Arizona State University’s LightWorks initiative, and Dan Simon, president and CEO of Heliae Technology Holdings Inc. write:
“With the passage of these two Arizona bills, we will offer algae the same benefits as any other agricultural product grown in our state and enable us to build large-scale algae farming operations that will benefit Arizona citizens through high-paying jobs, increased tax base, additional investment capital and sustainable use of agricultural lands for generations to come.”
Read the entire op-ed at USA Today.