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| NARA’s focus is on developing alternative jet fuel derived from post-harvest forest residuals. Photo: NARA |
[Avionics Today 06-04-2015] Alaska Airlines is teaming up with the Washington State University-led Northwest Advanced Renewables Alliance (NARA) to advance the production and use of alternative jet fuel made from forest residuals. As the airline partner for NARA, Alaska Airlines intends to fly a demonstration flight next year using 1,000 gallons of alternative biofuel being produced by the NARA team and its partners.
Residual treetops and branches are often burned after timber harvest. By using these waste materials as the feedstock of a biojet fuel supply chain, NARA and its aviation industry partners, seek to reduce fossil fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions as well as bolster sustainable economic development potential in timber-based rural communities located throughout the Pacific Northwest.
“Sustainable biofuels are a key to aviation’s future and critical in helping the industry and Alaska Airlines reduce its carbon footprint and dependency on fossil fuels,” said Joe Sprague, Alaska Airlines senior vice president of external relations.