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AMC vehicles eat their vegetable oil

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Kathleen Ferrero
  • Air Mobility Command Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  Air Mobility Command's vehicles are on a jolly green diet.

The command is helping America reduce its carbon footprint and petroleum dependence by accessing more biodiesel and alternative blends to power its vehicle fleet.

Last month, Fairchild Air Force Base opened an E85 fuel pump, making it the sixth AMC base to offer both biodiesel (B20) and ethanol (E85)-based fuel options.

Ethanol is an alternative fuel made primarily of corn, and it releases less carbon dioxide in the environment than traditional gasoline.

Approximately 25 percent of AMC's general purpose vehicles, such as sedans and vans, have E-85-converted gas tanks, said Mr. Michael D. Stebbins, AMC Resources Equipment & Vehicles division.

Many general-purpose vehicles are coming straight out of the factory with E-85 tanks, he said.

Diesel-guzzlers like aircraft loaders and dump trucks don't need conversions. They can automatically consume B20, a blend of 20 percent biodiesel with 80 percent regular diesel, said Mr. David L. Westhausen, AMC Fuels Distribution Facilities specialist.

Eleven out of 12 AMC's bases have B20 fuel pumps.

"Biodiesel is a renewable fuel manufactured from vegetable oils, animal fats, and recycled cooking oils. Regular diesel is a petroleum-based fossil fuel," Mr. Westhausen said. "The B20 blend of biodiesel allows us to use it in most of our diesel vehicles without major equipment modifications."

Such efforts enable the Air Force to meet its goals of reducing dependence on petroleum-based gas and increasing the use of alternative fuels.

"I think the overall benefits of our conversion efforts are the reduction of our carbon footprint and, most importantly, the reduction of our dependency on foreign oil," Mr. Westhausen said.

The need to diversify energy sources is more compelling than ever, according to the 2010 Air Force Energy Plan.

A significant percentage of the world's petroleum supply is vulnerable to terrorist attack, natural disasters and ongoing political instability in regions where large reserves are found.

Of the six AMC bases that don't have E85 tanks, four have funded projects slated for this fiscal year, Mr. Westhausen said. Travis AFB plans to convert an excess tank during FY11, and Pope AFB has submitted an E85 project jointly with the Army, slated for FY12.