An extended excerpt, with comment following:
"NORFOLK, VA: A new fuel specification that will enable use of synthetic fuels in commercial aviation was formally voted upon and passed June 24 (2009 - JtM) by the ASTM International Aviation Fuels Subcommittee. The action took place during a meeting of the subcommittee in Norfolk, Va."
"At its meeting, the ASTM International Aviation Fuels Subcommittee reviewed and discussed return ballots and comments submitted in regard to a new specification for alternative aviation fuels containing synthesized hydrocarbons. The proposed specification describes the fuel properties and criteria necessary to control the manufacture and quality of these fuels for aviation use."
(Aviation fuel can be made from) "a variety of feedstocks, including biomass (biomass to liquid) and natural gas to liquid, in addition to coal to liquid and combinations thereof."
"Summing up the sentiments of candidate buyers for aviation alternative fuels, Nancy Young, Vice President of Environmental Affairs for the Air Transport Association of America, which represents U.S. passenger and cargo airlines, characterized the outcome as "extremely positive," noting that "this is a giant step toward adoption of the first of what promises to be several generic alternative jet fuel blends that will offer commercial aviation a sustainable new fuel dynamic. The airline industry is prepared to be an enthusiastic buyer..."."
"Los Angeles-based Rentech, Inc. welcomed the announcement. The new jet fuel specification, once issued, will permit Rentech to market its FT process fuel to the aviation market. Rentech produces synthetic jet fuel under the trademark "RenJet.""
We have noted Rentech's participation in the Coal conversion industry previously. Following is a brief public release about them and their operations:
"Rentech, a Colorado company that is developing gas-to-liquids (GTL)/coal-to-liquids (CTL) processes to convert synthesis gas made from natural gas, coal and other carbon-bearing materials into ultra-low sulfur and ultra-low aromatic fuels."
In other words, although ultra-low-sulfur liquid fuels made from coal have been delivered to airliners from around the world for some years, at Johannesburg, South Africa, by Sasol, they are now officially recognized and approved world-wide.