Thune says making coal-based fuel would help the South Dakota economy, cut costs for the Air Force and reduce dependence on unfriendly nations. He says that last week, a B-One bomber based in Texas made an experimental flight using coal-based fuel. Thune says the Air Force is trying to diversify its fuel supply and hopes synthetic alternatives will power half of its air fleet in North America by 2016. Thune says firms need long-term contracts to invest in the expensive refinery systems needed to produce such synthetic fuels.

Thune says every time oil prices rise $10 a barrel, it costs the Air Force another $1.3 billion in fuel expenses.