Algae helps power flight to Chicago
(J. Moreno,
HoustonChronicle, 11/7) Airplane fueler Monte Hawkins filled the tank in the wing of a
United Continental Holdings jet Monday morning with fuel derived partly from algae as the plane prepared to take off into history.The Boeing 737-800's flight from Houston was the first by a U.S. carrier to include passengers on a plane powered by a blend that included algae-based biofuel along with conventional petroleum-based jet fuel.The flight left Bush Intercontinental Airport bound for Chicago O'Hare International Airport. Chicago is the headquarters of Continental parent United Continental Holdings. United Continental Holdings estimates that the biofuel blend on the flight Monday reduced carbon dioxide emissions by an amount equal to what would come from the exhaust of a car driven 30,000 miles...
Alaska Airlines Begins Biofuel Flights.
The Seattle (WA) Times (11/9, Gates) reports, "Alaska Airlines begins an expensive trial of biofuel-powered passenger flights Wednesday, billing the 75 trips as a pioneering effort to 'fly cleaner' and to kick-start a nascent renewable-energy economy." According to the article, it is "part of a worldwide push by airlines" to deal with climate change issues despite the fact that biofuels burn as much as conventional fuels. However, these are "greener" since the emissions come from renewable sources, a claim the article notes is "not self-evident." Meanwhile, "the appeal of biofuels...is driven by relentless pressure from environmentalists."
Recent Flights Show Demand For Biofuels.
Aviation Week and Space Technology (11/14, Warwick) reported on recent biofuel flights by airlines, which "are intended to show producers there is demand for biofuel, and they come as negotiations are at a critical stage between feedstock providers, fuel producers and private investors to scale up bio-jet production to commercial quantities." According to the article, it is "crucial" to these airlines to use biofuels that are not foodstocks. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said, "The US Department of Agriculture [USDA] is working with the Department of Energy and the Navy to put together a package to commercialize drop-in biofuels" with a "focus" on how to develop "biorefineries." In order to reach the needed production levels, the article notes "the key next step will be signing large-scale, long-term fuel offtake agreements that will enable producers to secure investment to scale up production."