White Paper

We are happy to publish a draft copy of “Producing and Using Biodiesel in Afghanistan." Please download an Adobe Acrobat version of our white paper or download a copy of our executive summary.

Paper Abstract
On December 1, 2009, at West Point, President Obama announced to the nation that the U.S.will send 30,000 additional troops to Afghanistan as soon as possible. These additional troops will bring the U.S. total in Afghanistan to around 100,000. The additional troop commitment is part of a strategy to reverse the Taliban's recent gains and stabilize the country's government.

Afghanistan is a landlocked country; the supply lines to U.S. and ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) troops are long and difficult. The additional troops will require more convoys to supply fuel, food and munitions, leading to increased casualties and greatly increased expenditures.

We believe the U.S. should manufacture in Afghanistan biodiesel for use in electrical generators and military vehicles, replacing some of the diesel fuel that currently must be imported. Manufacturing and consuming biodiesel locally would reduce U.S. casualties, save billions of dollars a year, substitute a valuable crop for poppies, thereby reducing the opium trade, and possibly create a new industry for Afghanistan that would contribute towards Afghanistan’s future growth.

We welcome your comments below.

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fatalgae said: October 18, 2010 1:38 pm PST

How about building portable algae production plants next to biodiesel plants? It would cut out all the costs of logistics in Afghanistan.

Kevin Epstein said: October 5, 2010 12:15 pm PST

I think your white paper expresses the type of thought process that the US needs to succeed in Afganastan. We, as a country, also need to end our addiction to imported oil. Let's implement your plan quickly.

Sanjay Dhawan said: October 4, 2010 12:46 pm PST

It's a very interesting idea on moving from crude oil to renewable biodiesel and how that could provide a solution to some of the social problems in Afghanistan. Although its implementation could be challenging, it definitely merits additonal analysis and funding.

Josh Donovan said: September 28, 2010 5:32 am PST

Seems like a very interesting idea that should definately be presented to the Pentagon. I suggest a hard push to your local federal representatives. However, my concern with this project lies in security. Like the Saudis who had terrorists target pipe lines and production facilities this may become the prime target of local insurgents as well as drug rings and could be a very dangerous place to work for civilian contractors. Overall I hope you are correct and can both save the tax payers money and wen the locals off of the poppy trade.

TK said: September 28, 2010 1:39 am PST

I wish I could export our non-edible plant oil to Afghanistan. Air Force is using biofuel.. They should maximize their technology to develop Afghanistan economy..

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