US region aims to create biofuel industry
A project assessing the development of a sustainable biofuel industry in the Pacific Northwest region of the US has been launched.
The ‘Sustainable Aviation Fuels Northwest’ project will consider what needs to be done across the whole spectrum of a potential biofuel industry, from biomass production and harvest; refining; transport infrastructure; through to actual use by airlines. All possible indigenous biomass sources will be analysed, including algae, agriculturally based oilseeds such as camelina, wood byproducts and others.
Alaska Airlines, Boeing, Portland International Airport, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Spokane International Airport and Washington State University are involved in the project, the first regional assessment of its kind in the United States. It is expected to be completed in approximately six months.
"The Pacific Northwest is a global gateway for people, cultures and commerce and aviation is a vital contributor to that process," said Boeing Commercial Airplanes CEO Jim Albaugh. "Developing a sustainable aviation fuel supply now is a top priority both to ensure continued economic growth and prosperity at regional levels and to support the broader aim of achieving carbon-neutral growth across the industry by 2020."
So not only can the participants eventually reduce their environmental impact and carbon footprint, the region will also be taking the lead in an emerging industry, rather than waiting and being left behind. Those who take the initiative in shaping the future of aviation fuel will put themselves in the position of being first adopters – ultimately saving a great deal of money. Those who wait may find themselves at the back of the queue behind not only competing aviation interests, but also other fuel-dependent industries.
