Air Force Will Be Coal-Powered by 2011
Not everyone has the same definition for the term ‘renewable-fuel’.
The United States Air Force is well on their way to becoming coal-powered. On Monday, the USAF carried out a transcontinental test flight using a 50-50 blend of standard jet fuel and coal-based ’synfuel’.
“The Air Force is taking a leadership role in testing and certifying the use of synthetic fuel in aircraft,” Secretary Wynne said. “We’re working very closely with our Army and Navy colleagues to ensure that this fuel is capable of operating in all of our aircraft. This is especially important because JP-8 military jet fuel is commonly used in the battlefield by the Army and Marines tactical vehicles and generators, as well as our respective aircraft.”
While synthetic fuel has the capacity to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, it could also double CO2 emissions produced by military flight. At the time of this writing, synfuel is made via Fischer-Tropsch process from either coal or natural gas to produce a somewhat cleaner burning but extremely greenhouse-gas intensive product.
The Air Force may be underscoring a recently hyped green image, but it seems that economic considerations are largely at play here:
The Defense Department is the largest energy consumer in the United States, racking up an energy bill of $13.6 billion last year, up from $10.9 billion the year before. The military services and other components of the defense establishment consume the equivalent of 340,000 barrels of oil a day, or 1.5 percent of total U.S. energy consumption.
The Air Force hopes to certify the 50-50 synfuel blend for all its aircraft within the next 5 years, making them 50% coal-powered by 2011.
Any way that we could just stockpile a few extra barrels of oil instead?
C-17 uses synthetic fuel blend on transcontinental flight (Dec. 18, 2007)
U.S. Military Bases Going Green (Dec. 17, 2007)
I don’t think this has anything to do with the environment. They want our airforce to be fueled by something we can create here in the U.S. The fact is if we depend primarily on imported oil for our military, then we have to put a lot of effort into ensuring that supply in event of a war. This is just good strategy. They are doing this the cheapest and most practical way they can. Miltary jets aren’t going to run off anything renewable for a long time.
Why not convert military jet engines to run off Hydrogen instead?
Researchers at the University of New South Wales have invented Titanium Oxide panels, and they can extract Hydrogen by pumping water into the panels and exposing the panels to sunlight. That would make for the most green renewable energy resource anyone could get.
Check out: http://www.unsw.edu.au/news/pad/articles/2004/aug/Solar_hydrogenMNE.html
@Clayton
I don’t believe anyone is saying coal is a green alternative to petroleum. But coal can be a major financial benefactor (not to mention the other million reasons not to be dependent on foreign oil). Those new funds could be used for something that has a larger positive green impact than the negative one from the coal based fuel. Maybe a program that accelerates our transition to alternative power sources or who knows what? Not me, I’m just some guy…
I am sooooo tired of EVERY article on the internet being commented on by moonbats who think Bush is the evil behind everything.
Gee, first we are told he’s a dumb monkey, then he’s an evil genius. Which one is it?
As for the Science (back to what the article was about before the Loonies had to inject their one-track idiotic slogans) has anyone ever heard the term coal oil - Kerosene? It’s derived from a form of carbon very similar to what we use as coal. Nope, coal is not coal. There are types and grades. At 2$ a gallon, it’s not economically viable to produce, but at around 3$ a gallon, deriving liquid fuel from coal becomes practical (it takes pressure and heat to extract, and that costs money).
Anyway, If back to the stupid Idea that the US is “stealing” the oil from IRAQ. - get a grip on reality, and check in to the facts as to where the oil is going, and who controls it, and you will find that it’s NOT the US…..In fact, the Iraqi government just signed some deals to supply CHINA with oil…..
What to know the truth? Then do your own stinkin’ research and quit regurgitating the vomit from the media.
And while I am at it, let’s consider the “declaration” that CO2 is a pollutant. (Carbon Credits anyone?)
Do you know what the probe that landed on the comet in 1995 proved that a *major* portion of the comet’s ice is made up of….wait for it……CO2
So, who is polluting the Universe?
The reason bad science exists is because people fall into one of 3 camps.
1) Degreed Scientist who make their living from government grants
2) Degreed Scientist who do real work and live in the real world
3) People who listen to mass media and are the type to look in the fuel tank with a match
The population of #1 is small, the population of #2 is somewhat larger than #1 (which is good), but unfortunately the population of #1 has figured out they can manipulate the game by scaring the bejezus out of the dimwits who flunked science and math at school.
Want a conspiricy? Just look into who OWNS THE frigging company that benefits from the Carbon Credits trade…..I’ll bet you recognize a few preachers from the cult of global warming in that company board listing………
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I found your blog via Google while searching for renewable energy and your post regarding ce Will Be Coal-Powered by 2011 : Gas 2.0 looks very interesting to me. I always enjoy coming to this site because you offer great tips and advice for people like me who can always use a few good pointers. I will be getting my friends to pop around fairly soon.
Clean coal emits CO2, but doen’t emit blood. Oil does.