Russia to use sawdust biofuel in planes

Russia may start using biofuel made from sawdust to power aircraft, a minister has said.

Russia may start using biofuel made from sawdust to power aircraft, a minister has said.

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"We have a country full of forests and plenty of sawdust; why not make biofuel from it as an alternative source of energy," deputy transport minister Valery Okulov said.

Although biofuel is not much cheaper than traditional aircraft fuel, it will not be subject to environmental tax, Okulov said.

The minister said Russia already has some "interesting fuel alternatives", like the Mi-8TG helicopter that uses 'associated oil gas'.