Source: Chris Scott, MEATINGPLACE, 11/7/11

Alaska Airlines announced that on Wednesday it will begin flying commercial passenger flights powered by sustainable biofuel, part of a program that ultimately will involve 75 flights by the Seattle-based company and its sister carrier, Horizon Air.

The two maiden flights will leave Seattle for Washington, D.C., and Portland, Ore., using a 20-percent blend of biofuel made from animal fat that meets international safety standards. The synthetic, high-performance jet fuel is made by Dynamic Fuels, a $170-million joint venture between Tyson Foods and Syntroleum Corp. A Tyson official involved with Dynamic Fuels sees the product as a key driver in creating jobs and establishing the nation’s long-term energy security.

The 75 flights over the next few weeks are expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 10 percent, the equivalent to removing 26 gasoline-powered automobiles from the nation’s roadways for one full year. The carrier estimates that using the 20-percent biofuel blend on all of its flights for one year would equal removing 64,000 cars from the road or providing electricity to 28,000 homes. 

For more stories, go to www.meatingplace.com.