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In this update:
· World CTL 2009 conference set for next month in Washington, D.C.
· Air Force makes domestic FT fuels purchase
· Ohio CTL project advances
· Become a CTL grassroots supporter
· Stay up-to-date on the latest news reports spotlighting CTL
World CTL 2009 conference set for next month in Washington, D.C.
Leading public and private sector representatives from the U.S. and around the world will gather in Washington, D.C., next month for the World CTL 2009 Conference. The March 25-27 conference will focus on a range of topics, including energy security, environmental performance, technological developments and project updates.
The conference is endorsed by the World Coal Institute, World Energy Council and the World Petroleum Council.
The conference will begin on March 25 with two parallel workshops focused on practical issues surrounding project development, with two days of plenary sessions following on March 26-27. The plenary sessions will feature presentations and discussions from leading coal, oil and technology leaders.
West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin (D) and Wyoming Gov. Dave Freudenthal (D) are among the distinguished roster of presenters for the plenary sessions.
More information on the conference is available here.
Air Force makes domestic FT fuels purchase
Efforts to advance the use of domestic synthetic fuels took another step forward recently with news that the Air Force will purchase domestically-produced Fischer-Tropsch (FT) as part of an ongoing effort to certify such fuels for use in the Air Force's entire aircraft fleet.
The FT fuel purchased is manufactured using the same process used to make coal-to-liquid (CTL) fuels. The Air Force is on track to certify its entire fleet using FT fuels in 2011 and expects to purchase 400 million gallons of FT fuels annually beginning in 2016. The Air Force is aiming to source 50 percent of the fuel used in continental U.S. operations from domestic sources, with CTL fuels playing a key role.
The fuel purchased was produced by Rentech, which is working on constructing a $4.5 billion FT fuel plant in Natchez, Miss. Prior to making the purchase, the Air Force conducted laboratory testing and confirmed that the quality and characteristics of Rentech's fuel met the Air Force's specifications for synthetic fuels.
The Air Force is the single largest consumer of fuel in the Department of Defense, using approximately 2.6 billion gallons, costing $5.6 billion, in 2007.
More information on the fuels purchase is available here.
Ohio CTL project advances
Plans to construct a plant capable of ultimately producing 50,000 barrels per day of coal-to-liquid (CTL) fuels in southeast Ohio moved forward last month with news that the Ohio state government will provide the necessary funds to purchase the land for the proposed plant.
The Ohio Department of Development is recommending that the State Controlling Board release $4.5 million to the Columbiana County Port Authority, which will use the funds to acquire the land needed for Baard Energy's proposed multibillion-dollar CTL plant that will be built just outside the town of Wellsville.
Once the land is acquired, site preparation will follow, at an estimated cost of $91 million, for which Baard is responsible. The port authority will then eventually sell the land to Baard once the project gets under way. Baard has received all of the necessary regulatory permits needed to operate, although one is currently under appeal by environmental groups.
Become a CTL grassroots supporter
The Coal-to-Liquids Coalition is working to build a strong network of grassroots supporters willing to contact federal and state lawmakers to voice their support for measures meant to spur the domestic production of affordable, clean-burning CTL fuels. CTL grassroots supporters can include company employees, union members, retirees, their families, friends and others spread across the country who share a personal stake in the successful launch of a domestic CTL industry.
A robust CTL grassroots network can be an invaluable tool in helping to increase the bipartisan support for legislation designed to jumpstart the production of ultra-clean CTL fuels.
To become a grassroots supporter visit here.
Stay up-to-date on the latest news reports spotlighting CTL
Through its web site, www.futurecoalfuels.org, the Coal-to-Liquids Coalition collects news stories from across the country that feature the latest information on how coal-to-liquid fuels will help reduce America's dependence on foreign oil and yield important environmental benefits. For access to recent CTL news items, please visit here.
As CTL fuel developments transpire, be sure to regularly visit FutureCoalFuels.org for the latest news and information and learn how you can help strengthen America's energy future. |
