There are now more reasons to use Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF): the Port of Seattle announced that Washington state Governor Jay Inslee, and bill sponsor, State Senator Andy Billig signed a new legislation to create incentives for production and use of SAF in the state of Washington.
The new legislation is part of Seattle’s push to accelerate the deployment of locally-produced SAF at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA).
What are the incentives?
According to the Port of Seattle, the new law creates a per-gallon incentive for SAF with lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions that are at least 50 % lower than traditional jet fuel.
The incentive increases for each one percent reduction in lifecycle greenhouse gas beyond 50%, up to a potential incentive of $2 per gallon.
The per gallon incentive can be claimed as a tax credit by fuel producers, or consumers like airlines, but only once on any gallon. Incentives will begin when a manufacturing facility becomes capable of producing at least 20 million gallons per year.
Currently, there is no continuous SAF production occurring in Washington state.
“The Port of Seattle’s goal to use a 10% blend of SAF requires that the supply come from local sources,” said Port of Seattle Commissioner Hamdi Mohamed in a press statement.
“Not only does locally produced fuel reduce carbon emissions related to distributing fuel, it also drives economic development in Washington state and reduces carbon and ultra-fine particulate emissions,” Mohamed further said.
A step in the right direction
Seattle-based Alaska Airlines applauded the new law, saying that investing in SAF has numerous benefits, including the creation of family wage manufacturing jobs.
“This legislation will help ensure that SAF is more available at a cost and scale that enables its use and continues to position Washington State as a leader on climate action.This is a step in the right direction, and we look forward to working with public and private partners to realize its full potential,” the airline said in a statement.
