Sustainable
Aviation Fuel
(SAF)
Study Session
April 27, 2021

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       What is Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)?
•Drop-in fuel made from sustainable
sources that can be blended with fossil
jet fuel
•Produced from waste oils from a
biological origin, agriculture or forest
residues, municipal waste, etc.
•SAF sustainability standards set by
International Civil Aviation
Organization (ICAO)
2

                Volumes & Availability
•Still only one production facility (World
Energy) in the US
•More volume imported via Neste
•Facility in Nevada nearing completion
•Facility in Oregon under construction
Image courtesy: Fulcrum Bioenergy website                                                   •Worldwide volumes ~ 5 million gal/yr
•Capacity increasing steadily

3

   Impact of California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard
•Sustainable aviation fuel can generate credits under the LCFS
as of Jan 1, 2019
•Credit value is $1.25-$1.50 per gallon
•Since 2019, more SAF volume at LAX and SFO
•Incentives remain higher for on-road fuels (e.g., renewable
diesel), so fuel producers focus on highest revenue-generating
fuels

4

     Strategic Plan
Review:
Progress toward
10% SAF Goal

5

         Commission SAF Goal (Dec 2017)
•By 2028, 10 percent of jet fuel available at SEA will be
produced locally from sustainable sources
• Equivalent to 75 million gallons of “neat” SAF
•By 2035, 25 percent
•By 2050, 50 percent +

6

              SAF Strategic Plan (2018)
Four Key Strategies
1.    Airline-Airport Cooperative Model (aka “the MOU Group”)
2.    Support local, state, federal policy to incentivize SAF use
and in-state production
3.    Obtain FAA approval to use airport funds/grants for SAF cobenefits
or infrastructure
4.    Enhance awareness of, and support for SAF use

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              SAF Strategic Plan (2018)



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     Airline-Airport Cooperative Model - Update

•    Developed a SAF-emission-reduction
equivalent strategy with airlines
•    Evaluated ability to meet
local/regional fuel goal - WSU Study

9

                                                                               GHG Reduction Goal

80,000                  (10% SAF for LTO)
73,000 MTCO,e
|
EA EwEe sisi Options
70,000



60,000                                Reduce Emissions from Curbside
Passenger Drop-off and Pick-up Trips
16,000 MTCOe
(MTCO,e)  50,000                                        Bptimize Cargo Activity
SLL gesPO
Benefit
Reduction  40,000
GHG
30,000
Annual
[eT FRORT EY
[ame  LLL Tg
34,000 MTCOe



10

                 SAF Policy Update
•    Powerful advocate for passing LCFS in WA
•    Continue to work with WA Commerce to
identify legislation that promotes SAF
production and use
•    New opportunities at federal level with
Biden Administration

11

            Meeting the 10% SAF Goal
•    Requires near-parity or better than incentives offered in
other jurisdictions and/or on-road fuels
•     Airlines at SEA also operate at other hubs and will favor lowest prices if
trying to meet a SAF target
•    Requires dedicated production facility being brought on-
line quickly
•     Incentives to speed permitting
•     Incentives to bring down capital and operational costs

12

            Developments Since 2018
•    LCFS passed in WA
•    Private business aviation interests
•    Corporate “SAFc” (corporate SAF-
seat on commercial jet) concept &
Sustainable Aviation Buyers Alliance
•    European nations setting SAF
percentage targets

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