EVERETT - Washington State University is helping lead a major regional effort to reduce the environmental impact of air travel through its role in the newly launched Cascadia Sustainable Aviation Accelerator (CSAA).

Announced Jan. 8 at the Boeing Future of Flight in Everett, the accelerator brings together state leaders, aviation and manufacturing partners, research institutions, Tribal representatives, labor, and community organizations to rapidly scale the production and adoption of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Funded through a 2025 state legislative appropriation and an additional $10 million in private philanthropic support, CSAA is the most comprehensive initiative of its kind in the Pacific Northwest.

WSU President Elizabeth Cantwell said the partnership reflects both the urgency and the opportunity facing the aviation sector.

"Aviation connects people, communities, and economies across Washington, the nation, and the world," Cantwell said. "But for aviation to remain strong and resilient in the decades ahead, sustainability must be part of its future. That's why partnerships like this one matter so much."

Research driving real-world impact

WSU researchers from eight programs across three colleges are advancing work on sustainable aviation fuels, spanning alternative feedstocks, fuel testing and certification, supply-chain logistics, economic impacts, and policy frameworks. That breadth of work positions the university to contribute at every stage of SAF development, from early research to commercial deployment.

"We are fortunate to have some of the world's leading experts in this field at WSU," Cantwell said, recognizing faculty leaders Josh Heyne and Mike Wolcott during the launch event. "Their leadership, along with the dedication of their colleagues and students, has helped position WSU at the forefront of sustainable aviation fuels research, both nationally and globally."

SAF is produced from renewable and waste-based feedstocks such as oilseed crops, agricultural residues and forestry byproducts. When used in place of conventional jet fuel, SAF can reduce lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 80% while meeting the safety and performance standards required for commercial aviation.

As part of these efforts, WSU is partnering with Snohomish County to establish a world-leading Sustainable Aviation Fuel Research and Development Center at Paine Field Airport. This work will accelerate research, testing, and adoption of sustainable aviation fuels that can dramatically reduce the aviation industry's dependence on carbon-based fuels and help decarbonize air travel.

The Center will host the world's first SAF repository, where fuel samples are collected, tested at laboratory and larger scales, indexed, and distributed globally to support research and commercialization. WSU researchers, including experts from WSU's Bioproducts, Sciences, and Engineering Laboratory, will lead efforts in fuel testing, finishing, and scaling while collaborating with government, industry, and academic partners to foster innovation, workforce development, and economic growth in the region.

National leadership in sustainable aviation

WSU's role in CSAA builds on nearly a decade of national leadership in the field. The university also serves as a co-leader, alongside the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, of ASCENT - the FAA-convened Center of Excellence for Alternative Jet Fuels and Environment.

The consortium brings together universities, federal agencies, national laboratories and private-sector partners to advance sustainable air transportation.

Looking ahead

Aviation currently accounts for roughly 2-3% of global carbon dioxide emissions, and demand for air travel is expected to grow. Leaders at the launch event emphasized that SAF offers one of the most promising near-term pathways to reduce emissions while maintaining safety, affordability, and reliability.

As CSAA moves forward, WSU will continue contributing its research expertise, convening power, and land grant perspective to help ensure sustainable aviation fuels are developed responsibly and at scale.