BLAINE — The U.S. government has awarded significant federal funding to two major sustainable aviation projects in Washington. This was announced by U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, D-Washington, in her press release Aug. 16.  

“This $36 million investment in the State of Washington’s growing sustainable aviation industry from my FAST-Tech and FAST-SAF programs will create jobs and cut emissions,” said Cantwell in her press release. “These grants will kick-start SAF production to supply airports across the Pacific Northwest, build low-emission engines for cleaner regional air travel and develop technologies to reduce fuel burn and cut costs.” 

The BP America Cherry Point Refinery in Blaine will receive over $26.7 million to develop infrastructure for producing sustainable aviation fuel from renewable biomass, aiming to produce 10 million gallons annually and creating 96 jobs in the process. 

Additionally, ZeroAvia, a hydrogen-electric engine manufacturer based at Everett's Paine Field, has secured $4.2 million to expedite the commercialization of its innovative propulsion systems. Following a successful test flight earlier this year, ZeroAvia is working toward FAA approval for its technology. 

Other grants include $4.5 million to Seattle-based APiJet to develop software for airlines to better identify and operate on fuel-optimized flight routes and $2.59 million to Boeing to support a program improving measurements of fuel in an airplane fuel tank. There is an additional $11.29 million going to Phillips 66 in Portland, Ore., to support sustainable aviation fuel storage and distribution.  

The funding is part of a broader investment totaling over $36 million in Washington state under the Inflation Reduction Act’s FAST-SAF and FAST-Tech programs. These initiatives support sustainable aviation fuel production and low-emission technologies, ultimately targeting a substantial reduction in aviation sector carbon emissions.