Washington State University is working to research the viability and impacts of growing, refining, transporting and using plant based aircraft fuel in the Pacific Northwest through a new partnership called the "Sustainable Aviation Fuels Northwest" project. The six-month project is intended to address issues related to commercial viability and the full environmental impacts involved with using biomass sources indigenous to the Pacific Northwest. Joining WSU in the project is Alaska Airlines, Boeing, Portland International Airport, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, and Spokane International Airport.

In a similar announcement, The University of Queensland in Australia is also working with Boeing and other companies to develop a major aviation biofuel project in Brisbane. The project is also called the “Sustainable Aviation Fuel Initiative” and includes over 2 million in funding.

Do you think this research will lead to breakthroughs that will help reduce those elusive scope 3 emissions from air travel or, will it only lessen the ultimate impacts of flying marginally? Will this help to strengthen local communities and agriculture? I am interested to hear what you think! Do you know of any other relevant initiatives and research happening in this area? Post up!

Additional resources:
US research:
Northwest aviation leaders aim to develop a regional biofuel industry (Oregon Live.com)
Transportation And Aviation Leaders Launch Sustainable Biofuels Initiative (Alaska Airways press release)
WSU’s website on Clean Technologies has more information regarding the research.
Also of interest may be this brief audio news report available from KPLU in Seattle.

Australia:
Biofuels research looks to the future of flying (University of Queensland press release)
Australian Biofuels research looks to the future of flying (Nanotechnology News)