Military looks to synthetics, conservation to cut fuel bills

“Aim high” is the current Air Force motto for most things

But with the price of jet fuel rising almost as fast as civilians’ gasoline, even in the wholesale quantities of the military, that reaching out costs more every day.

“Every time the price of oil goes up by $1 per barrel, it costs us about $130 million, and frankly, my credit card limit is getting narrow on that,” Gates said.

Particularly in light of wartime operations, the impact is significant.

Spiraling fuel costs in 2008 and their effect in fiscal 2009, which begins Oct. 1, have forced department officials to return to Congress for additional funding to cover the shortfall. But the department is increasingly looking to other options, Gates said, citing efforts ranging from synthetic fuels initiatives to fuel reclaiming aimed at curbing fuel demand as well as costs.

Shreveport Times