AltAir to build bio-jet plant in California

AltAir Fuels, a Washington, US-based company dedicated to the production of jet fuel, is developing a bio-jet production plant in Bakersfield, California.

The facility is slated to come online towards the end of 2012, when it will produce bio-jet fuel from camelina.

Local farmers in San Joaquin County, Central Valley and other areas of southern California are now being encouraged by the US Farm Service Agency to plant 25,000 acres of camelina for the project.

'These biofuel projects will be at the vanguard of fuel technology and can hopefully be a catalyst to much needed economic development in some of our distressed rural communities,' says Karen Ross, California secretary of food and agriculture.

Under the Biomass Crop Assistance Program, camelina producers are being offered five-year contracts for a base-soil-rental plus a 50% incentive.

In addition to the 25,000 acres of camelina expected to be cultivated in California, a further 25,000 acres could be planted in Montana and Washington.

Applications are now being accepted by the Farm Service Agency until 16 September 2011.