Washington State Commits $20M to Accelerate Sustainable Aviation Fuel Production

Washington State has formally launched the Cascadia Sustainable Aviation Accelerator (CSAA). The new nonprofit aims to rapidly scale Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production across the Pacific Northwest region. This major initiative is backed by a substantial $20 million commitment in initial funding. The funding includes $10 million from the state and a matching $10 million from private philanthropy.

SAF is widely recognized as the most viable path for reducing aviation carbon emissions in the near term. It is a "drop-in" fuel, meaning it works in existing aircraft without engine modifications. The goal is to reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by up to 80% or more compared to traditional jet fuel.

Accelerating Regional SAF Production

The Cascadia Sustainable Aviation Accelerator was inaugurated at the Boeing Future of Flight Aviation Center. Its mission is to overcome barriers that slow down SAF adoption. These barriers include high costs and slow production timelines. The CSAA will align public policy, private investment, and research efforts.

Washington Governor Bob Ferguson called the accelerator a "once-in-a-generation opportunity". The state is uniquely positioned to lead the next chapter of clean energy transition. The long-term ambition is to scale regional SAF production to one billion gallons annually by 2035. This would create significant economic benefits and strengthen regional energy security.

Project Wigeon Secures Key Approvals

The launch of the CSAA coincided with a major announcement regarding the Walla Walla fuel plant project. SkyNRG, a global SAF company, announced a key milestone for its planned facility, Project Wigeon. The project secured essential environmental approvals from state and county regulators. This progress confirms the project meets all environmental and land use standards.

Project Wigeon is located in the Port of Walla Walla's Wallula Gap Industrial Business Park. It is set to be one of North America's first commercial-scale SAF facilities. The plant will convert renewable natural gas (RNG) from waste sources into fuel.

• Capacity: The facility is projected to produce 50 million gallons of Sustainable Aviation Fuel and renewable diesel each year.
• Timeline: Operations are currently on track to begin in 2030.
• Jobs: The project is expected to create up to 600 construction jobs and 100 permanent jobs.

Industry Impact and Challenges

The aviation industry is under increasing pressure to decarbonize. SAF is the primary solution, yet it currently accounts for less than 1% of global jet fuel consumption. Airlines like Alaska Airlines and major air cargo operators like Amazon are key partners in the CSAA. They provide the crucial market demand for cost-competitive SAF.

The Port of Seattle has set a goal to power every flight fueled at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) with at least a 10% SAF blend by 2028. This goal highlights the urgent need to promote SAF production locally. The state's policy framework, including its Clean Fuel Standard, provides tax incentives to attract large SAF development projects. This makes Washington a leading hub for the alternative jet fuel market. For more commercial aviation news, visit flying.flights.

Despite the optimism, significant challenges remain. SAF is still considerably more expensive than traditional jet fuel. Global competition for feedstocks and technology is also intensifying. The CSAA's role is to de-risk these projects and accelerate the timeline for commercial velocity. Industry data from IATA shows the high cost added $3.6 billion to the industry's fuel costs in 2025. The accelerator aims to close this price gap.