Brad Haire in the Southeast Farm Press noted today that the US Navy is considering adopting peanuts as an alternative energy fuel in the near future. They are mandated to provide at least 50 percent of their energy consumption from alternative fuels by 2020.
Peanut oil is a good fuel for transportation but is currently too expensive to compete with cheap petroleum fuels now. However, changes in the variety of peanuts grown and more economic management practices may make them more competitive in the future, especially if petroleum prices rise and other sources of bio-fuel become less economically competitive. Great news for Southeastern peanut farmers if they can take advantage of this opportunity and also great news for increasing the use of renewable fuels!
