Programmatic environmental impact statement for alternative jet fuel
State law directs us to study the likely adverse impacts that producing and distributing alternative jet fuel in Washington poses to the environment – including ways potential negative effects can be avoided, reduced or mitigated. This programmatic environmental impact statement will not review any specific projects but instead lays the foundation for future project-level environmental reviews.
Photo courtesy Port of Seattle
What is alternative jet fuel?
Alternative jet fuel is a drop-in replacement for conventional jet fuel. This means it can use existing fuel distribution infrastructure and power aircraft engines without modifications. Alternative jet fuel can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and can be made from different types of renewable sources such as biomass, organic waste or clean synthetic feedstocks using various production methods. The fuel is blended with conventional petroleum-based jet fuel and transported by rail, pipelines, vessels or trucks. You may have heard alternative jet fuel referred to as "sustainable aviation fuel" (SAF). We are using the term alternative jet fuel because that term includes a wider range of fuels.
What will the programmatic environmental impact statement analyze?
The programmatic environmental impact statement is a planning document that takes a broad look at the potential significant adverse environmental impacts of producing and distributing alternative jet fuel as well as measures to avoid, reduce and mitigate impacts. Projects can use this information and will also need their own individual environmental reviews. Our goal is to develop a useful, timely resource for developers, Tribes, agencies, and communities.
Timeline
The process for developing the study consists of three phases: Scoping, developing the draft programmatic environmental impact statement (including a public review and comment period), and considering the comments and finalizing the programmatic environmental impact statement for use by projects as a reference document.
We plan to complete the final programmatic environmental impact statement for alternative jet fuel by June 30, 2027.
Scoping (current phase)
Scoping is the first step in developing the environmental review. Our scoping document provides more details on the process and a brief overview of alternative jet fuel, including production and distribution. We completed a 30-day public comment period (Oct. 6 to Nov. 5) – which included two virtual meetings – to receive input from industry, local and state agencies, the public and interested parties regarding what we should study. Since alternative jet fuel can be produced, blended and distributed through a variety of ways, our scoping process will help determine which types of fuel production pathways and distribution infrastructure to evaluate. After reviewing comments, we will prepare a scoping report letting the public know what we will analyze.