Completing the supply chain for homegrown aviation biofuels

Rep. Andy Billig

When it comes to supporting cutting-edge aerospace research and technologies, our state is already a leader.  Some of the world's best airplanes are built right here in Washington, and we'll soon add the next-generation 737 to that list.

We're also home to the only U.S. airline actively using aviation biofuel to power its planes.

What we haven't been able to do, however, is refine our own aviation biofuels, which leaves a gap in the supply chain.  Although we grow an abundance of feedstocks here in the Evergreen State, and our research universities have been discovering how to turn them them into aviation biofuels, we've had to rely on out-of-state sources for the refined product. 

But new legislation will foster a regional supply chain for the production and refining of in-state aviation biofuels, keeping us at the forefront of this promising industry.  Rep. Andy Billig, who sponsored the measure, has also just been appointed to the Sustainable Aviation Biofuels Work Group.  Along with a group of stakeholders from the public and private sectors, he'll be helping to further the development of this industry in our state.  And as the industry grows, it will create jobs and ensure large-scale commercial viability of aviation biofuels so more airlines - and the military - will someday use it in to power their planes, too.

To read this story in Spanish, click here.