September 5,2014
LA ‘s AltAir Fuels will receive a $5 million grant to be approved by the California Energy Commission September 10 to increase their production of renewable diesel fuel from 30 to 40 million gallons. A CEC staff report says “AltAir Fuels, LLC proposes to expand its existing facility (Phase II), located at the Paramount Petroleum Refinery, 14700 Downey Avenue, Paramount, CA 90723, to produce 40 million gallons per year of renewable biodiesel and allow for processing of an additional feedstock.” The money will be used to upgrade tanks.
United Airlines has said they agreed to purchase biojet fuel from AltAir Fuels. The announcement is said to be a positive step for clean fuels in California, and proof that advanced biofuels are becoming commercially available. United’s agreement with AltAir Fuels, announced last year, calls for the purchase of 15 million gallons of renewable fuel annually.AltAir Fuels’ renewable jet fuel expected to achieve at least a 50 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions on a lifecycle basis
AltAir Fuels, who will produce the fuel at a retrofitted petroleum refinery in Los Angeles. The low carbon fuel will supply flights out of Los Angeles International Airport beginning in 2014.
The site is an existing sour and heavy crude oil refinery facility that has been integrated into the surrounding community for the past 50 year says a CEC report. “Wirtz Elementary School, Paramount High School, a convalescent hospital, dental clinic, and homes are in the immediate vicinity (within 1⁄2 mile). No day care facilities are known in the surrounding area.
Air emissions from operation of the proposed project are minimal as the proposed equipment includes emission control technology and the project proposes use of mostly existing equipment and infrastructure at the Paramount Petroleum Refinery. As compared to the existing Paramount Refinery and the authorized and historical emissions of the refinery, the air emissions of the proposed project are much lower and well within overall site allowed emissions with minor permit changes. The majority of raw materials will be transported by rail. Additional truck transport for the project will be a maximum of 28 trucks per day, assuming all fuel and feedstock shipment is by truck. Total truck traffic will remain significantly less than historical truck volumes at the facility.”