Biofuel Generation At Salt Lake City Outskirts In Near Future?

August 25th, 2010 - 7:56 pm ICT by GD  

By Ranjan Bhaduri
newsimage_11647Utah, Aug 25, (THAINDIAN NEWS) While the uninspiring looking safflower may seem as a wild crop it may become an alternative fuel source in the near future in the USA. The US army is seriously considering using the safflower plants in 20 acres of government land beside the Salt Lake City International Airport. The U.S. Army Installation Management Command’s deputy engineer Jeffrey Ward inspected the crop on Monday and he was accompanied by a representative from the National Biodiesel Board. There was a consultant from Louis Berger Group the well known environmental engineering and restoration entity. Jeffrey Ward said that the US army is keen on finding alternative sources of fuel. The crop may be used for producing biodiesel.

The safflower crop is on the south side of the airport. The property may be used later for an upcoming wastewater treatment plant. However, the change will come after several years. The crop is draught resistant so the cultivation is not going to be a problem. The land has enough crop to generate 50 gallons of biofuel for every acre. Keith Eastin who is the Louis Berger Group’s vice president and a former US Army assistant secretary lauded the program. He said that unutilized military lands across the USA can be used for biofuel production and it will result in less carbon usage.

Peter Corroon the Salt Lake County Mayor said that this example will work for the entire country and the residents will be benefitted at the end. Utah State University is a major proponent of the safflower crop production. Utah State University researchers are hopeful of generating 1 billion gallons of biodiesel per year by using unused land across the highways.

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