Delta, Southwest, United, Others To Adopt Biodiesel for LAX Ground Equipment

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cargo_picAn alliance of eight airlines at Los Angeles International Airport has agreed to a multi-year deal to use renewable synthetic diesel for ground service equipment operations.

The deal, which calls for up to 1.5 million gallons of the synthetic fuel, will not take effect until late 2012, when the fuel will be commercially available, according to a press release.

A factory to produce the fuel is being constructed by Rentech, which struck the deal with Aircraft Service International Group, which contracts for services at LAX.

Airlines involved in the deal include:

  • Alaska Airlines
  • American Airlines
  • Continental Airlines
  • Delta Air Lines
  • Southwest Airlines
  • United Airlines,
  • UPS Airlines
  • US Airways

The fuel, which is said to have a carbon footprint of zero, will be produced under biomass gasification from green waste at Rentech's proposed Rialto Renewable Energy Center. Rentech says the fuel is biodegradable and virtually free of particulates. Rentech also has developed a synthetic jet fuel.

Environment + Energy Leader