Aviation biofuels – new push afoot in Northwest

A study released May 25th documents an almost year-long effort by Sustainable Aviation Fuels Northwest (SAFN) to research the feasibility of large-scale biofuel production for the airline industry.Boeing’s Vice President of Environment and Aviation Policy said at the press conference announcing the results of the research, aviation biofuel used in a 2008 testflight was “superior.” SAFN’s steering committee includes Boeing, Washington State University, Alaska Airlines, Spokane International Airport, and other aviation entities. The SAFN executive overview document says this is the first regional coalition in the U.S. to target exploration of sustainable fuels in the aviation sector. Among problems currently besetting the industry that are mentioned in the document is the wide fluctuations in the price of jet fuel. Possible sources for aviation biofuels, according the executive summary, were forest residues, algae, and solid waste. Read more