News Tribune — Eastern Washington’s dry land fields could become a significant source of aviation fuel under a new program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) told agriculture officials in Spokane today that Washington farmers can grow up to 12,000 acres of camelina sativa, a low, dry land crop that can be converted into jet fuel, under a new federal program.
That program, the Biomass Crop Assistance Program can aid farmers who want to rotate crops of camelina with wheat on their fields.
Seattle’s AltAir and Oregon’s Beaver Biodiesel are planning new plants to produce fuel from the oily, non-food crop. AltAir is planning to build a Western Washington refinery to produce 100 million gallons of jet fuel and biodiesel each year from camelina.
As one of the most beautiful states in the union–and one of the richest in natural resources–Washington has a special interest in energy and environmental policy. And Maria has fought hard to uphold the state’s conservation tradition, while also working to bring our energy policy into the 21st century.
Maria knows Washington’s business community – because, as an executive at an innovative software company, she was part of it. And as a Senator, she’s led the way in helping businesses large and small throughout Washington grow, thrive, and create jobs.
Maria has taken a leadership role on safety and security issues, including defending our borders, strengthening our military, cracking down on gangs, and taking on drug crime in Washington communities
Middle-class families around Washington and across the country are facing tough times–and tough decisions about balancing the family checkbook each month. Maria has fought to strengthen the economic security of Washington families and cut taxes for middle-class families.
