Thursday, September 22, 2011

Study Details Path To Sustainable Aviation Biofuels İndustry İn Northwest

The Pacific Northwest has the diverse feedstocks, fuel-delivery infrastructure and political will needed to create a viable biofuels industry capable of reducing greenhouse gases and meeting the future fuel demands of the aviation industry. Creating an aviation biofuels industry, however, will depend upon securing early government policy support to prioritize the aviation industry in U.S. biofuel development. That's the conclusion announced today in a 10-month study by Sustainable Aviation Fuels Northwest (SAFN), the nation's first regional stakeholder effort to explore the feasibility, challenges and opportunities for creating an aviation biofuels industry in the Pacific Northwest. Boeing (NYSE: BA), Alaska Airlines (NYSE: ALK), Portland International Airport, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Spokane International Airport and Washington State University partnered in a strategic initiative to identify the potential pathways and actions necessary to make safe, sustainable aviation biofuel commercially available to airline operators in the area.

"It is critical to the future of aviation that we develop a sustainable supply of aviation biofuels," said Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Jim Albaugh. "Airlines are particularly vulnerable to oil price volatility, and the aviation community must address this issue to maintain economic growth and further mitigate the environmental impacts of our industry."

Albaugh described the study as a critical, first step in identifying the regional specific actions – from biomass options, infrastructure and financing incentives – that should be taken to create a renewable fuels supply chain that meets rigorous fuel and safety standards.

To make a sustainable biofuels industry a reality, the study outlines an integrated approach recommending the use of many diverse feedstock and technology pathways, including oilseeds, forest residues, solid waste and algae. In addition, the study outlines the long-term importance of securing aviation biofuels as a top government priority and using the aviation industry to drive growth in domestic production.

The comprehensive study examined all phases of aviation biofuel development, including biomass production and harvest, refining, transport and airport infrastructure and actual use by airlines. However, as with any new energy supply, political support at the state and federal level is critical in the early stages of development. While the study does not advocate for permanent government support, it recognizes that focused public investments and parity with other biofuels programs will be needed to place the industry on an economically competitive basis.

Alaska Air Group Chairman and CEO Bill Ayer, said: "Alaska Airlines has made significant strides in reducing its environmental impact by enhancing the efficiency of its operations, including using satellite-based flying technology and investing in the most fuel-efficient airplanes in their class – but efficiency is only part of the answer. In order for the aviation sector to continue its impressive record of fuel efficiency and emissions reduction while continuing to grow, it is important that a sustainable supply of aviation biofuels is developed."

Unlike other ground transportation sectors, the aviation industry has fewer energy alternatives. For at least the next 20-30 years, commercial and military jets will need liquid, high energy-density fuels with the same technical performance as petroleum-based fuels.

"We are proud to join our partners in biofuels research that will help the aviation sector to continue its record of reducing its carbon footprint," said Steve Schreiber, Port of Portland aviation director. "The Northwest is uniquely positioned to serve as a blueprint for developing a U.S.-based, sustainable aviation biofuels industry."

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