ARNOLD AFB -- Referring to last week's debate in the Senate about climate change and energy security, U.S. Sen. Bob Corker noted during a visit to Arnold Engineering Development Center on Monday that AEDC is testing alternative fuels for use by the Air Force.

For the past year, AEDC has been testing a synthetic fuel blend that has not only been derived from natural gas, but can also be made from coal and biomass as well. The fuel being tested by the Air Force is a 50-50 blend of fuel refined from natural gas using the Fischer-Tropsch process and fuel refined from oil. Liquid fuel made from coal is expected to be available by 2012.

The Pentagon began looking at coal in 2001 when Congress earmarked $13 million to investigate the Fischer-Tropsch process, in which coal is gassified and then liquefied into fuel. The technology was developed by Germany in the 1920s and used by South Africa beginning in the 1950s.

The Air Force buys about 1.6 billion gallons of fuel per year for its fleet of aircraft. The Fischer-Tropsch process promises to produce a cleaner fuel that gives off more energy per pound and be less subject to freezing.

Using the blend would reduce transportation costs and ease logistical headaches by allowing the military to use one fuel for all of its aircraft and vehicles instead of the more than half dozen different fuels presently used.

Another consideration is the reduction of dependence of foreign oil. The Middle East has about 685 billion barrels of oil compared with 22 billion barrels in the United States. According to the Pentagon, there is enough coal in the United States to produce 964 billion barrels of fuel.

"If we can get this synthetic fuel to work, it will be a step forward for our county," Corker said. Upon his return to Washington, the Senator said he will inform all the "coal state" senators about what AEDC means to the future for using coal in an environmentally responsible way.

Corker also said that the country needs to add more nuclear power plants, citing the growth of automobile use in countries like India versus the demand for oil.

"We are enhancing the wealth of so many oil producing countries and they're turning around and buying our companies here in America," Corker said. When asked about drilling in places like Alaska or off-shore, Corker said it was interesting to see how the public has "evolved" with those issues.

"Americans feel far more insecure about energy. We're getting to the point where we might look at deep sea exploration ... at facilities that would be more than 50 miles off our shore," Corker pointed out that China is permitted to drill 45 miles from our shore by Cuba.

However, Corker said he did not see the situation with drilling in ANWR (the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge), "breaking loose," even though he supports it.

A number of local dignitaries were on hand for the Corker visit, including members of the Arnold Community Council, elected officials, and the University of Tennessee Space Institute Support Council members.

Walt Wood of the Shelbyville/Bedford County Chamber of Commerce, a former chair, was also in attendance.

During the tour, AEDC commander Col. Art Huber said that he pointed out some of the base's aging infrastructure and military construction needs to Corker, but also highlighted the type of testing work done at the center.