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SAN FRANCISCO — Jetliners emit vast amounts of greenhouse gases and toxic chemicals, but the airline industry says it wants to clean up itself.
Some of the nation’s largest commercial airlines and air cargo carriers are banding together to solve the problem under the industry group Airlines for America. The group on Wednesday announced a partnership with the California Air Resources Board to develop policies that pave the way for widespread adoption of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF).
Currently, these fuels are based on food waste and agricultural crops, but alternative fuels, including hydrogen, are on the horizon. United Airlines began using some SAFs in 2015. However, SAF has a small market share and is two to three times more expensive than jet fuel made from refined oil (basically kerosene).
Biofuels have also attracted criticism from many environmental activists because their supply chains still emit carbon into the atmosphere and much of the fuel currently burned is a mixture of SAF and fossil jet fuel. There is. And land previously used to grow corn and other fuel ingredients could be put to better use, they say.
CARB and airlines are working with sustainable aviation fuel producers, aviation stakeholders, and the federal government to ensure that at least 200 million gallons of cost-competitive options are available to airlines in California by 2035. “We will do so,” the Aviation Commission said. In a press release. A Sustainable Aviation Fuels Working Group of Government and Industry Stakeholders will be established.
The primary focus is on state and federal financial incentives and permitting reform.
The plan was announced Wednesday at a press conference at San Francisco International Airport. “California is proving once again that smart climate action is good for the environment and good for business,” said CARB Chair Leanne Randolph.
“Through this partnership with the nation’s leading airlines, the aviation industry will join in advancing a cleaner air future, accelerate the development of sustainable fuel options, and deliver cleaner air travel within the state. It will help promote it,” she said.
Aaron Smith, an agricultural and resource economist at the University of California, Berkeley, said the 200 million gallon goal “seems like a pretty modest goal to me.”
The federal government aims to create 3 billion gallons of supply by 2030, but most industry observers believe this is a tough goal.
Passenger and cargo airlines affiliated with the state are Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Atlas Air Worldwide, Delta Air Lines, FedEx, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, UPS, and Air Canada .
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