Washington regulators would like your thoughts on aviation fuel that could be made from things like oilseeds or greases.
Sustainable aviation fuels are blended with conventional jet fuel. Right now, most of the ways to make the fuel need more study. Only one type — traditionally using things like fatty acids — are used commercially. Hundreds of thousands of flights have used this type of fuel, according to the State Department of Ecology.
In the last legislative session in Olympia, lawmakers directed the department to study potential — or likely — environmental impacts of making and distributing sustainable aviation fuels. And ways to avoid those issues.
The department is in the very beginning stages of its review. But leaders would like help figuring out the scope of the study. The study won’t approve or deny any specific projects. It is eventually meant to be a resource for possible future biofuels projects in Washington.
The state’s goal is to lower greenhouse gas emissions from flying. However, at a recent public comment session, Longview resident Diane Dick called many proposals for this type of jet fuel in her area “boondoggles.”
“It will never be sustainable. The only way to reduce jet fuel emissions is for people to understand they need to fly less,” Dick said.
In a senate hearing last February on aviation biofuels, Darrin Morgan, the head of growth and investment for SkyNRG Americas, said his company is planning to build a sustainable aviation biofuel plant in Walla Walla. The plant is expected to produce 50 million gallons of sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel each year, starting in 2030.
“ (Sustainable aviation fuels) production in Washington state is also important because it contributes to energy independence, improves air quality for local communities near airports, and delivers significant economic benefits,” Morgan said.
According to the governor’s office, the Port of Seattle has set a goal to use 60 million gallons of sustainable aviation fuel per year. That’s roughly 10% of the annual aviation fuel used at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
“Sustainable aviation fuels are central to the evolving global aerospace industry, and we’re proud to be leading the way here in Washington state,” said Gov. Bob Ferguson in a news release about the planned Walla Walla facility.
In 2020, a Washington State University workgroup sent recommendations to then-Gov. Jay Inslee on ideas to develop the state’s sustainable aviation fuel industry.
According to the report, “Aviation is one of the most difficult sectors to decarbonize, and it will require energy-dense liquid fuels for decades to come, particularly for long-haul and cargo operations.”
