Sustainable Aviation Fuel Pilot Program
Authorization
Sarah Cox, Director, Aviation Environment and Sustainability
Stephanie Meyn, Climate Program Manager
Item No. 10a_supp
Meeting Date: May 23, 2023
Outline
• Background
• Purpose of the Pilot Program
• How the Pilot Program Will Work
• Anticipated Timeline
• Authorization Request
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Port Goal to Reduce Emissions
Port has several goals and strategies to reduce aircraft-related
emissions and increase use of sustainable aviation fuel:
• Century Agenda: Reduce GHG and air pollutant
emissions 50% by 2030
• 10% SAF at SEA by 2028
• Sustainable Aviation Fuel Strategic Plan
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Purpose of the SAF Pilot Program
SEA Airport will purchase the air pollution emission reduction
benefits of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from airlines.
Purpose:
• Test an innovative airport program to buy SAF air pollution (aka
“non-CO
2
”) attributes
• Understand SAF delivery & supply chain issues
• Make progress on our 10% SAF by 2028 goal and Century
Agenda goals
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Environmental Attributes of SAF
SAF
Lower Lifecycle
GHG Emissions
Fewer Air
Pollutants
Propulsion
Energy Attributes of SAF
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Launching a Market
Established Attribute Market
Regulatory
Voluntary
$
$
?
Regulatory Voluntary
Lower Lifecycle GHG Emissions
Fewer Air Pollutants
SAF
Benefits of the Pilot Program
• Develop and gain experience in SAF attribute market
• Better understand SAF delivery supply chain
• Compared to jet fuel, SAF combustion reduces Scope 3
emissions and creates:
80% less ultrafine particulate
90% less sulfur
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How the Program Will Work
• $1 million total available
• Port will pay the equivalent of $1 per gallon of
“neat” or pure SAF used at SEA
• Airlines will submit evidence of total SAF
delivered in 2023 to receive single payment
from Port for air pollution reduction attributes
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Anticipated Timeline
2023
• June – Release contract & specific program details to airlines
• July – Airlines begin signing agreements with Port
• SAF deliveries until Dec 31
2024
• Jan/Feb - One-time payments to airlines
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Authorization Request
Authorization for the Executive Director to execute contracts
with eligible airlines for air pollution emission reductions of
qualifying sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) fueled and used at
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport as part of a pilot project not
to exceed a total cost of $1,000,000.
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