Title:Navy’s Big Biofuel Bet: 450,000 Gallons at 4 Times the Price of OilAuthor: Noah Shachtman
Summary:
The Navy is planning on buying 450,000 gallons of biofuel at fifteen dollars a
gallon. that is a grand total of twelve million dollars. This type of fuel is
made from algae and will be expected to be used at the Hawaiian coast. A 9,000
ton destroyer and a cruiser wil go on the journey across the pacific using only
alternative energy. Two companies will split the large Navy order. Dynamic
Fuels and Tyson foods take grease and other waste of this kind to make the
biofuel. Solazyme uses algae to ferment anything from plant matter to municipal
waste for their biofuel. Before this decision, the Navy would use their regular
fossil fuels combined with the environmentally friendly biofuel to gradually
convert to full biofuel use.
Nonsummary:
I
think this is a great idea for the Navy on going green. I am glad to hear that
the major organizations that use most of the gasoline and other fossil fuels
are becoming greener in the mindset of using fuels that are better for the
environment. I do not think that these alternative energy sources should be
priced so highly. It may be expensive to create these but maybe in a few years,
more people will use this alternative fuel source and the prices would
decrease.
Questions:
1.What
are your thoughts on the Navy "Going Green?"
2.Do
you think that more companies and organizations should use more alternative
fuel sources such as biofuel?
3.
Since the military is one of the highest using fuel organizations, do you think
that it is a good decision to be switching to biofuel?
The Navy is planning on buying 450,000 gallons of biofuel at fifteen dollars a
gallon. that is a grand total of twelve million dollars. This type of fuel is
made from algae and will be expected to be used at the Hawaiian coast. A 9,000
ton destroyer and a cruiser wil go on the journey across the pacific using only
alternative energy. Two companies will split the large Navy order. Dynamic
Fuels and Tyson foods take grease and other waste of this kind to make the
biofuel. Solazyme uses algae to ferment anything from plant matter to municipal
waste for their biofuel. Before this decision, the Navy would use their regular
fossil fuels combined with the environmentally friendly biofuel to gradually
convert to full biofuel use.
Nonsummary:
I
think this is a great idea for the Navy on going green. I am glad to hear that
the major organizations that use most of the gasoline and other fossil fuels
are becoming greener in the mindset of using fuels that are better for the
environment. I do not think that these alternative energy sources should be
priced so highly. It may be expensive to create these but maybe in a few years,
more people will use this alternative fuel source and the prices would
decrease.
Questions:
1.What
are your thoughts on the Navy "Going Green?"
2.Do
you think that more companies and organizations should use more alternative
fuel sources such as biofuel?
3.
Since the military is one of the highest using fuel organizations, do you think
that it is a good decision to be switching to biofuel?
Opinion:
ReplyDeleteI think it's great that the Navy is starting to go green. At least when we wage war, our side is going to be eco-friendly. Now our fuel consumption methods match our camouflage, they won't be able to see our navy, HA. But in all honesty looking at the amount of money being spent on this project really shows how serious our government is about doing the environment some good. You know, sometimes it only takes one big initiative for others to follow. While this might not spark a bio-fuel renaissance it's still 12-million which definitely shows big promise for things to come.
Insightful Reflection:
I was watching NCIS the other day and those navy ships are pretty big. I can only imagine the energy it takes to make those behemoths move such a large distance using just the bio-fuel. And comparing how much more clean it is than traversing that same distance on regular fossil fuel. Personally while I haven't 12-million dollars to spend on providing my family with generations supply of bio-fuel, I do little things like trying not to use water bottles too much; whatever helps.
Answer to Question 3:
Yes it certainly a good idea Carolyn. Like you've stated, since the Military is one of the highest consumers of fuel it would make a much bigger impact then say some small industrial plant switching out. Of course ever company should consider going green; it is collectively that our impact will be at its highest. But again, certainly the biggest fuel users should prioritize it more.
It is good news to hear that the Navy is going green. The Navy uses lots of oil and fuel to power their ships across oceans. Probably millions of gallons are used. That would mean lots of non-renewable fossil fuels are being used to supply the Navy. Using renewable sources will keep our Navy powered for longer and for less money. This is definitely a good idea for the Navy to go green. Now if the other sections of the armed forces like the Army, Marines, and air force were to go green, it would be even better. Our military is one of the highest fuel using organizations in the world. To go green would be very beneficial.
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