BP Cherry Point takes a step toward cleaner diesel with new major fuel unit

Fuel blending is something that can make good business sense and provide some environmental benefits for oil companies, said Joel Swisher in an email. Swisher is the director of the Institute of Energy Studies at Western Washington University.

Using a short-cycle (not-fossil) biomass could be carbon neutral, particularly if it is waste material that would otherwise decompose and release carbon dioxide, Swisher said.

“If the biomass fuel use offsets the use of fossil fuel, there can be a benefit in terms of CO2 emissions,” Swisher said in the email.