The Pacific Northwest is Building Momentum Around Sustainable Aviation Fuel
Following two days of SAF discussions in Seattle, one message came through clearly: expanding domestic production and fuel diversity will be critical to strengthening aviation resilience, security, and long-term growth.
This week, I had the opportunity to participate in two back-to-back gatherings in Seattle focused on the future of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in the Pacific Northwest. I left both events encouraged by the growing alignment, energy, and sense of urgency surrounding the region's efforts to build a world-leading SAF ecosystem.
The first was the University of Washington's Alternative Jet Fuels Work Group meeting on Monday afternoon, led by Senator Marko Liias. The discussion brought together a diverse group of stakeholders from across the SAF value chain, with much of the conversation centered on developing consensus around a set of policy recommendations for consideration during Washington State's upcoming legislative session beginning in January.
What struck me was the collaborative spirit in the room. Participants approached the conversation not from the perspective of individual organizational interests, but rather with a shared understanding that Washington has a unique opportunity to strengthen its leadership position in SAF production and deployment. There was a clear desire to identify practical policy solutions capable of accelerating investment, expanding production capacity, and ensuring the region remains competitive in attracting next-generation fuel projects.
Washington has a unique opportunity to strengthen its leadership position in SAF production and deployment.
That spirit of collaboration continued Monday evening, when the Cascadia Sustainable Aviation Accelerator hosted a dinner for SAF producers and industry leaders.
The event featured remarks from Hawaiian Airlines CEO Diana Birkett Rakow, whose comments provided one of the most memorable takeaways of the week. Speaking about the strategic importance of domestic fuel production and resilient supply chains, she observed that: "Fuel security relies on fuel diversity." The simplicity of that statement is what made it so powerful.
At a time when global energy markets continue to experience volatility driven by supply disruptions, geopolitical uncertainty, and shifting trade dynamics, the importance of fuel diversity is becoming increasingly clear.
Expanding the range of technologies, feedstocks, and production pathways that contribute to our fuel supply is not simply an environmental objective. It is an economic and strategic imperative.
The following day, that same sense of purpose was on full display at the Cascadia Sustainable Aviation Leadership Summit.
One of the strongest indicators of the organization's growing momentum is its remarkable growth since launch. Since its previous gathering in January, participation in the Cascadia effort has reportedly tripled, reflecting a rapidly expanding coalition of airlines, fuel producers, technology developers, researchers, investors, policymakers, and community leaders committed to advancing SAF in the Pacific Northwest.
Equally encouraging is the clarity of the organization's mission. Cascadia's leadership remains laser-focused on an ambitious objective: achieving 1 billion gallons of annual SAF production in the Pacific Northwest by 2035. Throughout the summit, discussion consistently returned to the practical steps necessary to turn that vision into reality, including policy alignment, infrastructure investment, feedstock development, financing, and commercialization support.
Another clear takeaway was the growing unity among SAF producers. While companies may pursue different technologies and business models, there is increasing recognition that the industry is strongest when it speaks with a common voice on the public policies needed to enable growth. That alignment was evident throughout the summit and reflects a maturing industry increasingly focused on execution.
The commitment to keeping the Pacific Northwest at the forefront of the SAF industry was equally unmistakable.
That commitment was reinforced by Washington Governor Bob Ferguson, who made an unexpected appearance during the summit to reaffirm his support for expanding SAF production in Washington State. His presence sent a strong signal that state leadership recognizes both the economic opportunity and strategic value associated with building a robust regional aviation fuel industry.
For those of us at Twelve, the governor's appearance carried additional significance. Just a few months ago, Governor Ferguson joined company leadership at Twelve's AirPlant™ One ribbon-cutting ceremony in Moses Lake, where he highlighted the company's role in advancing innovation, creating jobs, and helping position Washington as a leader in next-generation fuel production.
Taken together, these two days left me with a strong sense that the Pacific Northwest is entering a new phase in the development of the SAF industry.
The vision is becoming clearer.
The policy discussions are becoming more focused.
The industry is becoming more aligned.
And the commitment from both public and private sector leaders is becoming harder to miss.
Most importantly, there is a growing recognition that SAF is about more than emissions reduction alone. It is about strengthening domestic production, supporting economic growth, increasing supply chain resilience, and enhancing fuel security.
As Diana Birkett Rakow reminded us, fuel security depends on fuel diversity. After spending the week with many of the individuals helping shape the future of aviation fuels in the Pacific Northwest, I am more convinced than ever that this region is well positioned to lead.
