LEADING THE WAY ON SUSTAINABLE AVIATION FUEL
Boeing and Alaska Airlines are also working together to reduce aviation’ s environmental impact through the Cascadia Sustainable Aviation Accelerator. This coalition includes stakeholders representing the entire Sustainable Aviation Fuel( SAF) value chain, including Boeing, Alaska Airlines, Washington State University, the Port of Seattle, Amazon, and Washington State and local leaders.
The group aims to develop a regional supply chain for SAF made from renewable materials like cooking oil and agricultural waste. SAF can reduce lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 80 % compared to conventional jet fuel.
Bill McSherry, Boeing vice president of Government Operations, said,“ For the last six decades in Snohomish County, Boeing has relied on strong community partnerships to turn ambitious ideas into reality. This research facility and Center of Excellence is a concrete example of that collaboration.”
Washington Governor Bob Ferguson added,“ Sustainable aviation fuel puts the Cascadia region at the forefront of the next major chapter of the clean energy transition.”
A PARTNERSHIP BUILT FOR THE FUTURE
For 60 years, Boeing and Alaska Airlines have grown together in the Pacific Northwest.
The aerospace industry remains a cornerstone of Washington’ s economy. In 2023, it generated more than $ 71 billion in business revenues and supported nearly 194,000 jobs statewide. This workforce fuels local economies, supporting thousands of suppliers and small businesses across the region.
Boeing and its employees continue to invest heavily in the community. In recent years, charitable giving by Boeing and its workforce in Washington has totaled tens of millions of dollars annually. The company’ s Learning Together Program supports thousands of employees pursuing higher education, reflecting Boeing’ s ongoing commitment to workforce development.
As Boeing and Alaska Airlines look to the future, their collaboration continues to drive innovation, sustainability, and economic growth in the region and beyond. Together, they are not only building the airplanes of tomorrow but also shaping a more sustainable, more connected world.
The Boeing Company
To learn more about how public policy impacts the aerospace industry and ways to get involved, please visit:
WWW. WATCHUSFLY. COM
Cascadia event showing Alaska and Boeing leadership. Above, from left: Bill McSherry, Boeing vice president of government operations; Guy Palumbo, Amazon director of public policy; Joe Nguyen, Washington State Department of Commerce director; Elizabeth Cantwell, Washington State University president; Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson; Snohomish County executive Dave Somers; Washington state Sen. Marko Liias; Tim Zenk, Earth Finance managing director; Ryan Spies, Alaska Airlines managing director of sustainability; and Washington state Rep. Mia Gregerson during a launch event for the Cascadia Sustainable Aviation Accelerator at the Boeing Future of Flight in Mukilteo, Washington, on Jan. 8, 2026.
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