Alaska Airlines endorses Low Carbon Fuel Standard

January 11, 2020 |

Washington State’s Clean Fuels Program Takes to the Skies with Alaska Airlines

In Washington, a big endorsement for the Low Carbon Fuel Standard from Alaska Airlines – the first time a major airline endorses the LCFS. As a major employer in Seattle – its headquarters location – Alaska Airlines’ support for low carbon fuel policy in Washington state is huge showing there is interest in biojet fuel, and not just from those in the biofuel industry.

Governor Jay Inslee pushed for a statewide low-carbon fuel standard during his visit to the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on Friday. He said a statewide policy would help the biofuels industry and improve access to biofuels for the aviation sector by incentivizing airline fuel suppliers to earn credits for biofuels.

According to the Seattle Times, Governor Inslee said, “It’s the fastest way to get biofuels in the aerospace industry,” adding that it would also be incentive for the airport to “scale up” biofuel infrastructure. Washington state’s greenhouse gas emissions have been increasing lately, which is why the Governor is hoping a statewide fuel standard could help lower it since transportation emissions account for nearly 45% of statewide emissions, and jet and aviation fuels more than 9.5% of the state’s overall emissions, according to Seattle Times.

But back to Alaska Airlines…

The Sustainable Aviation Fuels Producers Group, the Biotechnology Innovation Organization and the Low Carbon Fuels Coalition issued the following statement commending Alaska Airlines’ support for including sustainable aviation fuels on an opt-in basis in Washington’s proposed Clean Fuels Program:

Alaska Airlines’ support of Washington’s low carbon fuel legislation signals that transportation companies who look to the future are embracing renewable fuel policy. Alaska is the dominant carrier at the rapidly expanding Sea-Tac Airport and has been at the forefront of utilizing sustainable aviation fuel to lower carbon emissions. Standing with Governor Inslee, Climate Solutions, the American Lung Association, and the Auto Alliance, the aviation industry is working to decarbonize the skies.”

As well as ushering in a new generation of sustainable aviation fuels, biotechnology is generating green breakthroughs in all modes of transportation. The SAF Producer Group is made up of the world’s leading producers and developers of sustainable aviation fuels, including Fulcrum, Gevo, Neste, Red Rock, Velocys and World Energy.

In November 2019, BIO and the LCFC announced a joint initiative to drive adoption of renewable fuel policies in states, such as the legislation introduced by Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon.

The transportation sector leads all others in greenhouse gas emissions and clean fuel programs are a proven driver in decarbonizing transportation.

Since implementing its comparable low carbon fuel standard in 2011, California has prevented over 50 million tons of carbon pollution from being emitted. The state’s program has also increased the clean fuels market by $2.8 billion, benefiting largely rural communities where the feedstocks are grown, and biofuels are produced.

For more information about the Biotechnology Innovation Organization, visit BIO.org. For more information on the Low Carbon Fuels Coalition, visit lcfcoalition.com.

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