Thank you for the opportunity to testify today on the topic of initiatives to address
aviation greenhouse gas emissions. Alaska Airlines and our sister carrier Horizon
Air are committed to reducing our impact on the environment. This commitment
includes reducing the greenhouse gas emissions we produce. Not only is it the right
thing to do, but our customers, employees and shareholders expect it of us. We
know the Commission and Port share this commitment to environmental
responsibility.

As evidence of that commitment, in March of 2008, the Commission adopted three
motions addressing a number of greenhouse gas action items. We support many of
the action items noted in these motions: For example, we enthusiastically welcome
the Commission's expression of support for federal funding of the next generation
air transportation system. We believe it is imperative that Congress and the FAA
move forward expeditiously to modernize our nation's out-dated Air Traffic
Control (ATC) system. A modern, satellite-based air navigation system will
enhance the efficiency of the airspace, trim fuel use and, in turn, reduce greenhouse
gas emissions by as much-           As you can see from this significant reduction,
4
airspace modernization is one of the single most important tools our nation has to
reduce aviation emissions. We should look for opportunities to jointly - the airlines
and Port- press federal officials to make modernization a priority. We also
applaud the Commission's expression of support for federal funding of research to
improve engine and airframe efficiency anC to develop safe and effective alternative
fuels. New technology is key to sustaining lmg-term reductions in aviation

greenhouse gas emissions; and the government should help finance the development
of such technology.

The Commission motions also include a direction to staff to develop greenhouse gas
emissions reduction targets for Sea-Tac airport. We do not support airport-specific-
Goutb
emissions-reductions targets: As operators at many different airports and in many
r/
different states, it- is simply impracticable for airlines to
a... . .
We believe the
airlines should continually push to reduce aviation-related emissions at Sea-Tac;
however, any reduction target should be national in focus, given the interstate
nature of commercial aviation. I'll refer you to the Air Transport Association letter
to the Commission, dated September 24,2008, for a more complete review of some
of the regulatory issues surrounding aviation greenhouse gas emissions.

Alaska Airlines d~es~supportthe Air Transport Association's national commitment
.c.-,
to improve commercial airline fuel efficiency by 30% from 2005-2025. This
commitment is in addition to impressive improvements already achieved:
According to Air Transport Association data, between 1978 and 2007, commercial
airlines improved fuel efficiency110%; and between 2000 and 2007, commercial
Ir-
airlines reduced fuel burn and greenhouse gas emissions by aLmost 3%, while
transporting 2 more9 passengers and freiqht. Alaska, having invested in among
.I-Fc
the youngest, most fuel-efficient fleets in the nation, is doing its part to help achieve

this commitment. However,       this impressive record, much more can and
should be done to reduce aviation greenhou.segas emissions.

To that end, Alaska and Horizon very much look forward to continuing to work
collaboratively with the Port on economically viable and sustainable projects to
reduce emissions at Sea-Tac. Some examples of such projects include- the
installation of new garbage and recycling compactors as well as an airport-wide
preconditioned air system to replace the use of auxiliary power units (APUs).
Alaska Airlines has already demonstrated its commitment to reduce the use of APUs
by investing in electric-powered and diesel mobile units to supply electricity and
-cabin air while aircraft are parked on the ground.Most notably, Alaska and Horizon continue to work closely withthe Port, as well as   _CI
Boeing, on an airspace modernization project, designed to bring environmentally
friendly approach and departure paths to Sea-Tac through the use of new Required
Navigation Performance (RNP) procedures at the airport. RNP is a satellite-based
technology that enables aircraft to fly with pinpoint accuracy in a predictable and
consistent path. Implementation of these RNP procedures at Sea-Tac will reduce
flight track length and allow aircraft to fly higher longer with an idle descent; this,
in turn, could save as much as 30 &I0metric tons of-         Co2 emissions each year, as well--
as reduce noise exposure in the region. Alaska Airlines pioneered RNP technology
w=7
in the mid-1990s and is the only domestic carrier with a 100% RNP-equipped fleet
and fully trained crews. We are eager to leverage the use of this technology at Sea-

Tac in order to increase efficiency and bring environmental benefits to the region.
We appreciate the Port's strong commitment to this exciting project.
With that, thank you for your time.