Air Force committed to renewable energy - 25% of vehicles are FFV(ethanol)

[JohnWxy]

Air Force committed to energy-efficient strategies US Air Force

The Air Force is committed to using renewable sources of energy. 25% of their vehicles are Flexible Fuel vehicles and they have their own E85 station on many of their bases.

"The use of ethanol and biodiesel comprises part of The Air Force's efforts to comply with the alternative fuel vehicle requirements of the Energy Policy Act (EPAct) and Executive Order 13149.

The Energy Policy Act was designed to reduce American dependence on imported petroleum. As of 1999, the Act requires at least 75% of light duty vehicles acquired each year by all federal agencies with light duty fleet vehicles in major metropolitan areas to be alternative fuel vehicles. Mandated fleets, such as McChord Air Force Base, can meet up to one-half of their vehicle purchase requirements through the use of biodiesel or biodiesel blends containing a minimum of 20 percent biodiesel. "


(emphasis my own)

In October, the Air Force won a 2005 Green Power Leadership Award for its commitment to green power as the nation’s largest purchaser of renewable energy for 2004. Sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Energy and the Center for Resource Solutions, the award recognizes organizations whose actions help advance the development of the nation’s renewable energy market.

Some results of Air Force efforts include:

-- The Air Force is the largest purchaser of renewable energy in the United States.

-- 11 percent of electricity the Air Force purchases comes from renewable energy sources.

-- Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., is the largest purchaser of renewable energy, with 138 million kilowatt hours of power purchased each year - enough to satisfy 60 percent of its electrical needs.

-- Air Force installation of wind farms at Ascension Island and F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo.

-- Reduction of Air Force energy use by 30 percent since 1985.

-- 25 percent of the Air Force’s vehicle fleet are flex-fuel capable vehicles.

Peterson Air Force Base Embarks on alternative fuel program

(emphasis my own)

“Peterson is the first Air Force base, as well as the first location in Colorado, to have E-85, and ethanol-based alcohol mixed with traditional gasoline,” said Master Sgt. Jim Huber, 21st Space Wing fuels. “E-85 is 85 percent ethanol blended with 15 percent gasoline. There are currently 24 vehicles using the E-85 fuel on Peterson today.”

E-85 reduces greenhouse gas emissions such as carbon-monoxide, the main contributor to global warming, by as much as 39 to 46 percent. In addition to green house gas emission reductions, E85 reduces petroleum use by 85 percent and burns cleaner than traditional gasoline. This reduces other harmful exhaust emissions and respiratory illnesses caused by poor air quality.

According to staff at Peterson, the change from using traditional gasoline to E-85 was relatively simple. Existing gasoline tanks were emptied, cleaned, and then refilled with E-85 fuel. The tanks had to be modified to accept E-85 by removing the aluminum parts, adding an ethanol compatible hose, and a one-micron filter.

A source of cleaner fuel is ethanol. One source of ethanol is corn. One bushel of corn can produce 2.5 gallons of ethanol. The National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition states that “ethanol, which is non-toxic, water soluble and biodegradable, is simply a better fuel for the world around us.”

“In addition to being the first base using E-85, Peterson AFB is also known for being the second Air Force base and the first Colorado location to have bio-diesel fuel, a blend of diesel fuels and vegetable oils,” said Master Sgt. Mark Trolio, HQ AFSPC Fuel Operations. The National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition supports biodiesel use as an excellent form of alternative transportation fuel.

There are several reasons why alternative fuel technology is so important. According to Huber, “It enhances the United States` energy self-sufficiency and security by decreasing our dependency on foreign oil and petroleum. The United States imports about 60 percent of our oil every year.”

McChord Air Force Base Launches Ethanol and Biodiesel Programs

(emphasis my own)

McChord Air Force Base celebrated the opening of their Alternative Fuels Service Station on November 15, 2002. The station will provide ethanol and biodiesel to McChord's fleet of vehicles. So far, more than 400 vehicles are operating on these alternative fuels, representing more than 50% of the fleet at McChord. Plans are to expand the use of ethanol and biodiesel to more than 500 vehicles over the next 3 years.

McChord currently operates 21 ethanol compatible vehicles on base. Known as flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs), the vehicles can operate on pure gasoline or on a blend of 85% ethanol with 15% gasoline, referred to as E85. An additional 48 FFVs will be put into service next year and a total of 106 FFVs are planned by 2005. This number may increase as automobile manufacturers expand the variety of ethanol compatible vehicle models they produce.

Some 400 diesel vehicles at McChord are currently operating on a blend of 20% biodiesel with 80% petroleum diesel, known as B20. Biodiesel can be used in virtually any diesel engine without modification, so the transition to this fuel has been relatively easy. In fact, there have been no operational or maintenance issues since the fleet began using biodiesel.

The use of ethanol and biodiesel comprises part of McChord's efforts to comply with the alternative fuel vehicle requirements of the Energy Policy Act (EPAct) and Executive Order 13149.

The Energy Policy Act was designed to reduce American dependence on imported petroleum. As of 1999, the Act requires at least 75% of light duty vehicles acquired each year by all federal agencies with light duty fleet vehicles in major metropolitan areas to be alternative fuel vehicles. Mandated fleets, such as McChord Air Force Base, can meet up to one-half of their vehicle purchase requirements through the use of biodiesel or biodiesel blends containing a minimum of 20 percent biodiesel.

http://www.pugetsoundcleancities.org/Ethanol.htm

[eppur_se_muova]

1. Ethanol is "non-toxic"?? News to me.

Of course you'd expect the military to lead the way in fuel flexibility. The more types of fuel they can burn in their vehicles, the more countries they can invade. Maybe they're gearing up for Brazil now?

[soothsayer]

2. Eh, they're only doing it because they have to. Biggest polluters,

they could care less if all of us died as a result of their activities.