Biofuels Get Nod From U.S. General James F. Amos

Four-star General James F. Amos

Four-star General James F. Amos, Commandant of the Marine Corps (CMC) has said he is a "big believer" in alternative fuels and that biofuel "is probably just one step along the way."

The high-ranking U.S. official made the comments at the National Press Club luncheon on August 28, 2012 in response to a question asking if plans to convert the military's ships and planes to biofuels was just a costly distraction, and if he thought the programme "was really worth it."

"I'll tell you what, I support the efforts for alternative fuel," Amos responded.

"We're doing a lot right now in our little small piece of the world in Afghanistan in combat outposts with regards to alternative fuel," he added.

Much Debate

The use of biofuels by the U.S. military has been the subject of much debate this year, and it says that by the end of 2020 it aims to have half the fuel used in U.S. Navy ships and aircraft come from renewable sources.

In June a report by the RAND Corporation concluded that renewable marine fuels will remain "far more expensive than petroleum-based fuels" and cutting fuel use is the "only effective choice" to reduce what the Pentagon spends on petroleum products.

The House Armed Services Committee also approved the 2013 Defence Appropriation Bill that would prevent the armed forces from purchasing biofuels for military operations unless they cost less than fossil fuels.

The U.S. Government nevertheless announced in July that it intends to make $62 million available to develop biofuels and related technologies, a move Charles T. Drevna, president of the American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers described as "another Obama administration green fuel gimmick to make headlines."

Secretary of the U.S. Navy Ray Mabus has previously stated that every time oil increased by $1.00 per barrel, it costs the Navy $31 million in additional fuel costs.