A core group of ATA airlines has signed, what they describe as, a groundbreaking memoranda of understanding with two different producers - AltAir Fuels and Rentech - for a future supply of alternative aviation fuel it was annopunced yesterday (14th December). A total of 15 airlines, from the USA, Canada, Germany and Mexico have signed MOUs with one or both of the producers.

Speaking yesterday Glenn Tilton, ATA board chairman and UAL Corporation and United Airlines chairman, president and CEO, said; "Today's announcement reinforces the proactive steps that airlines are taking to stimulate competition in the aviation fuel supply chain, contribute to the creation of green jobs, and promote energy security through economically viable alternatives that also demonstrate environmental benefits." Tilton also noted that discussions with a number of additional alternative-fuel producers about other projects are underway, as are discussions with the US military regarding other cooperative opportunities.

"Our intention as an airline industry is to continue to do our part by supporting the use of alternative fuels. We urge the US government and the investment community also to do their part to further support this critical energy opportunity," said Tilton.

AltAir Fuels Founder and CEO Tom Todaro said, "The airlines' pledge to use renewable jet fuel sends a clear and unmistakable message to policymakers, investors and industry leaders that AltAir Fuels has entered a new era of more sustainable aviation."

The AltAir Fuels project contemplates the production of approximately 75 million gallons per year of jet fuel and diesel fuel derived from camelina oils or comparable feedstock, refined at a new AltAir Fuels plant to be located at the Tesoro refinery in Anacortes, Wash. The Rentech project in Adams County, Miss., contemplates the production of approximately 250 million gallons per year of synthetic jet fuel derived principally from coal or petroleum coke, with the resultant carbon dioxide sequestered and the carbon footprint potentially further reduced by integrating biomass as a feedstock.

 

Clean energy to grow into 1.6 trillion euros industry: WWF

(AFP) – Dec 10, 2009

GENEVA — The clean energy technology sector will grow into a 1.6 trillion-euro (2.4 trillion-dollar) industry by 2020, becoming the third largest industrial sector after automobiles and electronics, WWF said Friday.

The clean energy industry, which includes wind energy infrastructure, insulation, solar panels and bio-ethanol treatment production, generated 630 billion euros in revenues in 2007, a sum that has already surpassed that of the global pharmaceutical industry, said WWF.

"This is the clean economy growth happening now with only a partial Kyoto protocol international framework supporting clean energy development, patchy national support for green energy and huge subsidies to fossil fuel use," said Kim Carstensen, leader of WWF?s global climate initiative.

"Imagine what is possible with a successful Copenhagen climate deal and the national mechanisms to deliver its outcomes -- clean energy is where the money is going to be and this is where energy security is going to be," she added.

Germany, the United States and Japan currently lead clean energy sales, according to 2008 data cited by the WWF.

China is ranked fourth in absolute sales, but is expected to take up a "rapidly increasing share" in coming years.

In terms of sales relative to gross domestic product, however, it is Denmark, Brazil and Germany which are leading the scale.

Denmark is leading wind energy and insulation products, while Brazil has a massive bio-ethanol industry.

Germany, meanwhile is a specialist in solar and wind energy products.

"Clearly, from a national perspective there is much to gain and nothing to lose from investing in clean energy," said Donald Pols, Head of the Climate Programme at WWF-Netherlands.

"Forgoing these opportunities for the sake of propping up an aging, polluting fossil fuel sector for as long as its lobbying power remains significant is acting for vested interests not the national interest."

Some 194 nations are meeting in Copenhagen under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), seeking to secure an agreement spelling out national pledges for curbing heat-trapping carbon emissions.

Over the past 250 years, atmospheric concentrations of these invisible, odourless, tasteless gases have risen, propelled by the unbridled use of coal, oil and gas.

The envisioned December 18 accord will also pump hundreds of billions of dollars in aid to poor countries, providing them with new and clean technology and the means to toughen their defences against the impact of climate change.

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