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New Biofuel Promises Economic Growth

By Ashlie Rodriguez

Story Created: Dec 6, 2011 at 7:34 PM MDT

Story Updated: Dec 6, 2011 at 7:49 PM MDT

The weed well known as Camelina is being called one of the most promising sources for renewable fuels and its being developed right here in Montana.

Biofuel from Camelina was first tested in 2010 on a U.S. Navy Super Hornet and it worked. Since then the seed is promising to bring not only an alternative to fossil fuels, but a much needed pick-up for local economies.

By 2015 the U.S. Navy wants 50% of its liquid fuel to come from alternative sources, which is good news for Montana farmers who have a chance to make big profit from a golden seed that grows right in their backyard.

“Camelina was the one that kept rising to the top,” said Montana State University Technical Sciences Dean Greg Kegel.

Experts predict the U.S. military will be the biggest customer of the biofuel produced from Camelina, and to help jumpstart the industry, the Department of Agriculture is offering crop insurance.

It’s estimated that Montana could support between 2 and 3 million acres of Camelina and generate 200 to 300 million gallons of oil each year.

“We’re looking at oil seeds as a way to revitalize that economy,” Kegel said.

Which means a new industry could be created in Montana, supporting hundreds of jobs, especially in places such as Havre, where MSU Northern scientist Greg Kegel has seen consistent out-migration and stagnant economic growth.

“Our intent was revitalization of this region and the state of Montana,” Kegel said.

Leading Kegel and his team of researchers to work on the seed and help make its potential a reality.

With crop insurance, skeptical farmers can be put at ease. The seed does well in fallow ground and needs little water or fertilizer, and once processed it can double as meal for poultry and beef.

But future challenges include the learning curve that comes with a new crop, and currently, there is no market for the seed and little incentive to put it in the ground.

“Even though it might not happen this year, or the next, it will happen in the future,”
Kegel said.

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Cliff Claven said on Friday, Dec 9 at 11:37 AM

Navy and Air Force are paying $67 a gallon for camelina fuel while the nation is carrying a $15 Trillion debt and cutting defense.

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