By Joseph Baker, May 26, 2011

Rising fuel prices are not just impacting American consumers at the pump, they are also impacting the commercial airline industry.

On the same day the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) unveiled new fuel economy labels to help consumers save money on gas, the Sustainable Aviation Fuels Northwest (SAFN) said the implementation of strong government policy is critical to the development of sustainable aviation biofuel.

Formed in partnership by Boeing (NYSE: BA), Alaska Airlines (NYSE: ALK), Portland International Airport, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Spokane International Airport and Washington State University, SAFN set out 10 months ago to explore the possibility and feasibility of aviation biofuel development in the Pacific Northwest. 

The study discovered that in fact, the region has three big assets to support aviation biofuel --  feedstocks, fuel-delivery infrastructure and political will. In order to jumpstart an active aviation biofuel industry, however, the SAFN study states the government needs to create policy that "prioritizes the aviation industry in U.S. biofuel development." 

"It is critical to the future of aviation that we develop a sustainable supply of aviation biofuels," said Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Jim Albaugh. "Airlines are particularly vulnerable to oil price volatility, and the aviation community must address this issue to maintain economic growth and further mitigate the environmental impacts of our industry."

Image Credit: Ack Ook via Flickr

This is a cross-post from EnergyBoom.com.

EnergyBoom is a global leader in energy news information, offering expert analysis on the world economy’s transition to cleaner, more efficient and more secure sources of energy. 

Original Post: http://www.energyboom.com/biofuels/united-states-pacific-northwest-has-what-what-it-takes-aviation-biofuel