United flies LAX to SFO on biofuel

[KamaAina]

http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/United-flies-LAX-to-SFO-on-biofuel-6885644.php

Shortly after 10 a.m. Friday, United Airlines Flight 708 left Los Angeles for San Francisco with a full complement of passengers and crew — and biofuel coursing through its engines.

The flight, unremarkable save for the liquid in its tanks, could represent a turning point in aviation.

Airlines have dabbled for years in alternative fuels, both as a way to combat climate change and to hedge against volatile oil prices. But to date, the airlines have largely stuck to demonstration flights proving the fuels could work.

Now United has made biofuels part of its regular operations at Los Angeles International Airport. The airline has signed a three-year agreement with AltAir Paramount, which makes fuels out of animal fats and nonedible plant oils at a refinery near the airport. Over the life of the agreement, AltAir will supply United with 15 million gallons of biofuel — roughly 2 percent of all the fuel United will use at LAX.

This could be a gamechanger! I could even see an all-California biofueled airline replacing the high-speed rail project.

[doc03]

1. A plus the exahust smells of French Fries n/t

[ghostsinthemachine]

2. No.

bio fuel isn't hardly feasible and is too unreliable due to fluctuating oil and commodity prices. And bio fuel has to be grown and would always be grown with GMO crops and pesticides. the amount need for one SF to LA trip would be astronomical, planes hold thousands of gallons of gasoline.

More planes, more airports. Bigger airports. More public expenditures. More freeways to the airports. More cars on the road.

HSR is the one and only way to go. I may not be around to ride it, but the only way to go. Not to mention the economic boon that cities and towns along the way will reap by having jobs anywhere in the state easily accessible.

[KamaAina]

3. Some biofuel is made from used cooking grease

hence, as noted above, the exhaust smells of French fries.

I'm getting a little concerned that they may never be able to get HSR through the Tehachapis to L.A. If and when they do, though, Fresno in particular would benefit from being midway between L.A. and the Bay Area; companies that do business statewide could then take advantage of its relatively low rents and wages.

edit: And what would it matter if GMO crops were used to make the biofuel? In fact, that might be the only thing we could do with them.

[ghostsinthemachine]

4. They got it together

engineeringly speaking. http://www.hsr.ca.gov/Programs/Statewide_Rail_Modernization/Project_Sections/bakersfield_palmdale.html

[KamaAina]

5. It would be the next segment south, from Palmdale to Santa Clarita, that would be of concern

the tunneling costs seem to be mounting.

[whistler162]

6. Finally a harnessed use for baked beans