New Program Increases Opportunities for Camelina Growers in California, Montana and Washington

BOZEMAN, Mont., July 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- This week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a new Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) for production of camelina on 50,000 acres in California, Montana and Washington that will provide support to growers who plant the oilseed crop for production of biofuels.  

Sustainable Oils, a leading producer and marketer of camelina, strongly supports the BCAP program, highlighting the opportunities it will provide for both growers and the developing industry.  

"This is an exciting development for camelina production," said Scott Johnson, president of Sustainable Oils.  "We're seeing strong demand for biofuel produced from camelina oil, and the BCAP program will help boost production in order to meet that demand."

Sustainable Oils will be offering production contracts for growers in California, Montana and Washington for camelina planting in fall 2011 or spring 2012.  More details on these opportunities will be available soon.  Producers interested in participating in the project areas should visit their local FSA county office. The sign-up period will begin on Aug. 8, 2011, and end on Friday, Sept. 16, 2011. Additional program information is available at www.fsa.usda.gov/bcap.

"Sustainable Oils has been partnering with farmers to produce camelina for four years, delivering fuel that has powered military and commercial test flights," said Johnson.  "We've built a strong track record as a successful partner with growers and look forward to expanding those opportunities through this new program."

Sustainable Oils has provided nearly 500,000 gallons of camelina-based jet fuel to multiple branches of the US military for its certification programs, making it the most heavily tested alternative fuel feedstock.  

Since its founding in 2007, Sustainable Oils has played a leading role in building the foundation for a strong, sustainable camelina industry.  The company has invested in North America's largest camelina research program with a goal of bringing improved camelina varieties to growers even more quickly.  Sustainable Oils has also invested in research and partnered with industry groups to secure approvals for feeding camelina meal, a co-product of camelina processing, to livestock.  

Sustainable Oils is a contracted supplier to AltAir Fuels, the sponsor of the BCAP program.  Camelina oil produced by Sustainable Oils growers for this program will be delivered to Alt Air Fuels for refining into bio-jet fuel for commercial aviation.

About Sustainable Oils

Sustainable Oils, LLC is a producer and marketer of renewable, environmentally clean, and high-value camelina-based renewable fuels.  Sustainable Oils is focused on the continued research and development of dedicated energy crops such as camelina. Sustainable Oils solidly supports both agricultural and green energy initiatives with camelina, which is efficiently and economically grown in rotation with wheat and even on marginal lands, harvested with traditional equipment, and requires minimal water. More information is available at www.susoils.com.  

About AltAir Fuels

Headquartered in Seattle, Washington, AltAir Fuels (www.altairfuels.com) was formed in 2008 to develop projects for the production of jet fuel from sustainable feedstocks. The company and its partners are designing and building a network of sustainable aviation fuel production facilities.

SOURCE Sustainable Oils