ATA
CEA Praises Airlines Pact to Promote, Increase Use of Alternative Fuels
Wednesday, December 16th, 2009
Consumer group calls the airline agreement “Groundbreaking”
HOUSTON – December 16, 2009 Yesterday, the Air Transport Association of America, Inc. (ATA) – a key Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) affiliate – announced a landmark industry agreement designed to promote and increase the use of alternative aviation fuel supplies. The memoranda of understanding (MOU), signed by 15 airlines from the United States, Canada, Germany and Mexico, aims to increase supplies for air travel and transportation from Seattle-based AltAir Fuels LLC and Los Angeles-based Rentech, Inc.
David Holt, president of CEA, issued this statement in support of this forward-looking agreement:
“Increasing the use of and access to alternative and renewable energy resources is critical to both long-term U.S. energy security and stable prices for American consumers. This groundbreaking agreement facilitated by ATA is symbolic of the airline industry’s deep commitment to furthering key national objectives related to both our economy and our environment. At the same time, it also demonstrates that enormous technological steps continue to be made to diversify our country’s energy portfolio. More energy, of all forms, is instrumental to reducing fuel-price volatility and to strengthening our economy. ATA, its members, and those who have worked hard to forge this commonsense pact should be commended for their efforts.”
In yesterday’s public statement, ATA’s board chairman and UAL Corporation and United Airlines chairman, president and CEO said:
“Today’s announcement reinforces the proactive steps that airlines are taking to stimulate competition in the aviation fuel supply chain, contribute to the creation of green jobs, and promote energy security through economically viable alternatives that also demonstrate environmental benefits. Our intention as an airline industry is to continue to do our part by supporting the use of alternative fuels. We urge the U.S. government and the investment community also to do their part to further support this critical energy opportunity.”
Tags: Air Transport Association of America, air travel, alternative fuels, alternatives sources of energy, ATA, aviation fuel, domestic energy
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Airlines Sign First-of-Its-Kind Ongoing Supply Agreement with Rentech and ASIG For Renewable Synthetic Diesel Fuel to Be Used in LAX Ground Service Equipment
Tuesday, August 25th, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C., August 18, 2009 — The Air Transport Association of America, Inc. (ATA), the industry trade organization for the leading U.S. airlines, announced today that eight of its member airlines have signed an unprecedented agreement with Rentech, Inc. and Aircraft Service International Group (ASIG) to purchase up to 1.5 million gallons per year of renewable synthetic diesel fuel (RenDiesel) for use in ground service equipment at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) beginning in late 2012, when Rentech’s plant to produce the fuel is scheduled to go into service.
The initial airline purchasers of RenDiesel are Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, UPS Airlines and US Airways, with the potential for adding other airline partners.
“We are proud to take part in this innovative, collective endeavor that over time, will further reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve local air quality through the use of greener fuels,” said Glenn Tilton, ATA board chairman and UAL Corporation chairman, president and CEO. “This transaction promises to be the first of many such green fuel purchase agreements by the commercial aviation industry. It exemplifies the ongoing commitment of airlines and energy suppliers to diversify our fuel sources while contributing to a cleaner environment and adding new jobs to the economy.”
The renewable RenDiesel will be produced at the commercial-scale facility that Rentech is developing in Rialto, Calif., primarily from urban woody green waste such as yard clippings. The fuel is expected to have a low carbon footprint and minimal particulate and other emissions while meeting or exceeding all applicable fuel standards. ASIG, which provides fueling services to many airlines that operate at LAX, will handle receipt and dispensing of the RenDiesel. Other discussions regarding potential alternative fuels agreements are continuing through the Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative, of which ATA is a founding member.
“This commercial purchase contract among Rentech, ASIG and the airlines validates the growing demand for synthetic fuels produced by the Rentech Process,” said D. Hunt Ramsbottom, Rentech president and chief executive officer. “The low-emissions profile and near-zero carbon footprint of our renewable RenDiesel will guarantee that the LAX ground service vehicles using this fuel will be among the cleanest and greenest of their kind.”
Ramsbottom added, “We expect this agreement to serve as a model for future supply relationships at other airports and for other fuels, including Rentech’s synthetic jet fuel, which was recently approved for commercial airline use.”
“ASIG is thrilled to have been instrumental in reaching this landmark deal with the airlines and Rentech, reinforcing our strong commitment to our airline customers and environmental stewardship,” said ASIG President Keith P. Ryan. “We are proud to be on the forefront of this innovative effort to advance aviation environmental progress.”
“This collaborative effort is yet another environmentally friendly initiative that we and the airlines are pursuing at Los Angeles-area airports. It shows what we can accomplish by working together toward a common and necessary goal,” said Gina Marie Lindsey, executive director of Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA).
Tags: Air Transport Association, ATA, diesel, renewable diesel, renewable fuel, renewables, Rentech
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American Trucking Associations Tells Congress that Climate Change Legislation Comes at Great Cost to American Consumers
Wednesday, August 12th, 2009
ARLINGTON, Va., August 10, 2009 — The American Trucking Associations (ATA) today told the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works that climate change legislation would impose significant costs on American consumers.
In his statement on behalf of ATA, Ray Kuntz, Chairman of ATA’s Executive Committee and Immediate Past Chairman of the associations, said that any substantial cost increases imposed directly or indirectly on trucks by climate change legislation will curtail the delivery of vital consumer goods across the nation such as food, medicine, and clothing.
“Constraining the country’s freight delivery system would change our way of life for the worse by significantly increasing the cost of everything we buy,” said Kuntz, who is Chairman and CEO of Watkins and Shepard Trucking, based in Helena, Montana.
A one-cent increase in the average price of diesel costs the trucking industry an additional $390 million in fuel expenses. Petroleum suppliers indicate that climate change legislation could increase the cost of gasoline by 77 cents per gallon and 88 cents per gallon for diesel fuel. As trucking companies struggle with already miniscule margins, additional costs for fuel would be passed on to shippers of goods and materials and ultimately to consumers.
In addition to increased fuel costs, Kuntz addressed six other issues in his testimony relating directly to climate change legislation and the trucking industry:
- Climate change legislation must address the need to improve highway infrastructure to reduce carbon output
- Carbon oversight markets must carefully be monitored and transparent to prevent excessive speculation
- Trucking needs to be addressed differently than passenger vehicles because trucks are not discretionary fuel users
- State transportation emissions reduction plans must not impede the delivery of goods
- Federal regulations must preempt regional, state and local carbon laws to prevent a patchwork jumble of laws that would impede transportation efficiency
- Oil refiners should receive appropriate free carbon allowances for fuel production to help offset significant price increases for refined products
Kuntz serves on ATA’s Sustainability Task Force, which developed a progressive sustainability agenda that will reduce fuel consumption by 86 billion gallons and CO2 emissions by 900 million tons for all vehicles over 10 years by: setting governors on trucks manufactured after 1992 to limit speeds to no more than 65 mph and reducing the national speed limit to 65 mph for all vehicles; reducing engine idling; reducing congestion by improving highways; using more productive truck combinations; supporting national fuel economy standards for trucks; and increasing fuel efficiency by encouraging participation in the U.S. EPA SmartWaySM Transport Partnership Program.
These reasonable measures will bring real results for reducing the trucking industry’s carbon footprint, while at the same time further reducing other regulated emissions, enhancing safety, helping to achieve energy independence, and keeping the nations economic engine churning.
For ATA’s entire sustainability report with detailed explanations, visit www.trucksdeliver.org.
Click here to read the entire testimony from Ray Kuntz.
Tags: American Trucking Associations, ATA
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