September 7, 2011
Sustainably Fueling the Fight
When it comes to size, budget or geographic reach, the United States military is a big deal. So it probably doesn’t come as a complete surprise that the U.S. military is a big consumer of energy. In fact, it’s the largest single fuel market in the world.
The aircraft, ships and ground vehicles of the Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force need energy to carry on their mission. Add to that the costs of energy needed for important functions like air conditioning in the hot environments of theaters of operation like Iraq and Afghanistan: $20.2 billion per year when transport, security, command and control and medevac support are factored into the equation.
The U.S. military understands these serious facts. So do Nyhus clients like Imperium Renewables. Imperium is the second-largest manufacturer of biodiesel in the country. Imperium and the Nyhus Public Affairs team are working to provide fuel for our military that is sustainably and domestically manufactured.
Specifically, Imperium is working hard to create an aviation fuel from domestic sources that are less costly to our military personnel’s lives, our budget and our environment. This fuel is sourced from sustainable crops like camelina, not fossil fuels.
Imperium has partnered with other businesses such as Boeing, academic institutions like Washington State University and other Pacific Northwest stakeholders in its pursuit of a better aviation biofuel. Based on recent studies, such as the one completed by Sustainable Aviations Fuels Northwest (SAFN), companies like Imperium are favorably situated to engage with both existing and emerging industries and institutions to become a force to be reckoned with in the production of aviation biofuels.
As it pursues a mass-production capacity in aviation fuels, Imperium is meeting the U.S. military halfway. Initiatives like the Navy’s “Great Green Fleet,” are examples of how our military is a leading force in the development and utilization of sustainable and secure fuel supplies. The “Green Hornet,” a Navy F/A-18 fighter jet fueled by aviation biofuel, is already airborne, and Imperium is intent on fueling many more aircraft like it.
Nyhus Public Affairs is helping to provide Imperium with the media coverage and engagement with military and elected government leadership to truly get its renewable aviation fuel capacities flying high.
Our American armed services need fuel for the fight and Nyhus clients like Imperium Renewables are providing a better way to fulfill their mission.