U.S. Military Examining Biofuel Project

U.S. Military Examining
Biofuel Project





Partners in Salt Lake County’s biofuel feedstock pilot project will welcome representatives from the U.S. Army, National Biodiesel Board, and consulting firm Louis Berger for a site tour. The Army is exploring creating similar projects on military land across the country.

Earlier this year, Salt Lake County, Salt Lake City Public Utilities, the South Davis Sewer District, Utah State University and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints partnered to begin a biofuel feedstock pilot project on 20 acres of dry farmland owned by Salt Lake City just southwest of the Salt Lake International Airport.

The purpose of the pilot project is to explore how publicly-owned lands unsuitable for traditional farming can grow crops that can be converted into biodiesel, as well as to explore the recycling of biosolids (generated from wastewater treatment processes) through their use as fertilizer on the dry farm. Work began in March to prepare the seedbed for planting, and the safflower feedstock will soon be ready to harvest.

At the site tour, USU will demonstrate its bioconversion trailer, which can produce biodiesel from the safflower right at the harvest site. With just power and water, a farmer can press the oil out of the oil seed, convert the oil to biodiesel and polish the biodiesel to be used on the farm.

The biodiesel produced by the project will be utilized by local government fleets, reducing the amount of imported diesel fuel purchased and improving sustainability and carbon footprint of the area.

“This is a great example of how the public and private sector can partner on projects that can make us a more self-sustaining community,” said Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon. “We are thrilled that the military is considering using this model.”

Salt Lake County Councilman Jim Bradley, who led the effort to begin Salt Lake County’s new Urban Farming Initiative, believes that this project will prove the viability of utilizing publicly-owned lands for farming. “Through their local governments, the people of Salt Lake County own a great deal of idle land banked for future use,” said Councilman Bradley. “In the meantime, if we put this land to a beneficial use with projects such as this, or growing food products, we benefit the local economy, keep government costs down, and utilize public assets in the best way possible.”

Chuck Gay, Associate V.P. for Extension, Utah State University, says, “We’re honored to be involved in such a progressive project. I applaud the efforts of all the entities involved and look forward to biodiesel feedstock yielding crops and the end of the growing season.”

Salt Lake City Public Utilities Director Jeff Niermeyer is hopeful that the project will become a new avenue to recycle biosolids from the city’s treatment plant. “Using biosolids in non-food agriculture is a great way to recycle them,” he said. “We’re pleased this new use is being explored.”


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