Southwest Airlines will buy some biofuels made from waste wood for use in its San Francisco Bay airports beginning in two years time. Sources: AAP, Yahoo 7
To use Southwest’s phrasing, it is purchasing “low carbon renewable jet fuel, made using forest residues that will help reduce the risk of destructive wildfires in the Western United States”.
It has agreed to buy about 3 million gallons (11.4 million litres) a year from Red Rocks Biofuels, in Colorado, that focuses on recycling that forestry stuff.
That won’t provide much of Southwest’s needs.
The Dallas carrier in 2013 bought 1818 million gallons (6.9 billion litres), so three million would represent 0.2% of its needs or about 60% of an average day’s usage.
But it might make a noticeable portion of the fuel needs at Southwest’s Bay airports – San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose – where the fuel will be delivered starting in 2016.
“Our commitment to sustainability and efficient operations led us on a search for a viable biofuel that uses a sustainable feedstock with a high rate of success,” said Bill Tiffany, Southwest’s vice president of supply chain.
“Red Rock Biofuel’s technology, economics and approved use made entering into an agreement for purchase a win-win situation.
“From the outset, we have sought to build the best possible team of project partners,” Red Rock CEO Terry Kulesa said.
“A conversation we started with Southwest on the premise of providing renewable jet fuel at cost parity with conventional jet fuel has evolved into a great partnership. We’re happy to help Southwest diversify its fuel supply.”
According to the announcement, “RRB’s first plant will convert approximately 140,000 dry tons of woody biomass feedstock into at least 12 million gallons per year of renewable jet, diesel, and naphtha fuels”.
