Boeing has a deep and rich tradition in Everett. It’s a partnership that extends far beyond the historic first production of the 747 jumbo jet, and well into World War II when Everett was home to assembly plants building bulkheads and equipment for the B-17 Flying Fortress.
Through steady in
novation and thanks to our skilled, hard-working employees, Boeing has remained a pioneer in aviation and a trusted member of the Everett community.
Today, however, the aviation industry faces quite possibly its biggest challenge yet: developing safe, sustainable, aviation biofuels as an alternative to fossil fuels. It’s an economic and environmental imperative.
Airlines are particularly vulnerable to oil price volatility. Each added penny per gallon in the price of jet fuel translates into $175 million of additional operational costs annually for U.S. airlines. A sustainable, aviation biofuel supply is key to ensuring continued economic growth and prosperity at regional levels. Development of commercially viable aviation biofuels also is critical to supporting the industry’s broader aim of achieving carbon-neutral growth beyond 2020.
The industry doesn’t have a lot of energy options other than biofuels. Unlike other forms of transportation that can utilize clean electric power, airplanes will always need liquid, energy-dense fuels.
The good news is that a groundbreaking new study released this week concludes the Pacific Northwest has all the necessary assets — significant biomass resources, existing infrastructure, world-class research institutions, strong technology companies, market and political will — to revolutionize an industry, invigorate local jobs and serve as a national roadmap for future U.S. biofuels development.
The regional study was commissioned by Sustainable Aviation Fuels Northwest (SAFN), the nation’s first stakeholder effort to explore the feasibility, challenges and opportunities for creating an aviation biofuels industry in our region. Led by Alaska Airlines, Boeing, the Northwest’s three largest airports and Washington State University, alongside more than 40 stakeholders, the SAFN initiative was the critical first step in understanding how to develop a commercially viable, aviation biofuels supply chain.
The 10-month study carefully examined all phases of aviation biofuel development, including biomass production and harvest, refining, transport infrastructure and actual use by airlines. The study outlines an integrated approach recommending the use of many diverse feedstock and technology pathways, including oilseeds, forest residues, solid waste and algae.
The importance of this study and its recommendations cannot be overstated, as homegrown, sustainable biofuels are vital for the Northwest to continue to reap the economic benefits of a competitive and healthy aviation industry.
Aviation is a critical sector of our regional and U.S. economy, representing more than 5 percent of national economic output and responsible for 10.9 million jobs. Prioritizing the aviation industry as a beneficiary of U.S. biofuel development is essential to spur a sustainable biofuels network. The aviation industry is poised to lead the domestic growth of the industry and deliver a commercially-viable solution to the unstable supply of fossil fuels.
With more than 75,000 jobs in Washington state, Boeing must consider the next frontier of flight in order to maintain its economic and technological edge — while also reducing its carbon emissions.
As with any new energy supply, government and policy support at the local, state and federal level is critical in the early stages of development. The aviation industry cannot do it alone, as supportive policies are needed to jump-start a biofuels network, attract investment, accelerate growth and provide long-term economic benefits. For instance, even in this era of constrained budgets, support should be provided for key infrastructure needed for advanced biofuel refineries, targeted job training and support for pilot programs.
But the payback will be a new regional industry that creates sustainable jobs by drawing on traditional regional economic strengths, including a strong aviation industry and strong farming and forestry sectors.
The visions for tomorrow present a major economic opportunity for Everett and the Northwest to take a leadership position in advancing new sources of energy and stimulating growth in the green jobs sector. While Everett will continue to build world-class planes, it will also play a fundamental role in the biofuels supply chain, helping to forge the next phase of air travel.
The time to act is now and the solution is in our own backyards.
Billy M. Glover is vice president of environment and aviation policy for Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
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