- Project Wigeon aims to start operations by 2030, producing sustainable aviation fuel from renewable natural gas.
- Washington State Department of Ecology and Walla Walla County granted environmental approvals.
- The facility will use RNG feedstocks like biogenic methane from landfills and farms.
- Washington State Department of Commerce awarded a $1.5 million grant to support the facility's construction.
Project Overview
SkyNRG's Project Wigeon in Eastern Washington has secured key environmental approvals, moving into the engineering phase with operations expected to start by 2030. The facility will produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from renewable natural gas (RNG), marking one of North America's first commercial-scale SAF projects.
Environmental Approvals
The Washington State Department of Ecology and Walla Walla County have confirmed that Project Wigeon meets rigorous environmental standards, including land use, water protection, and fuel transportation requirements. The project received a Critical Areas Permit and a Mitigated Determination of Nonsignificance, ensuring no significant adverse environmental impacts.
Facility Features
Key features of the facility include a closed-loop industrial water system, energy-efficient technologies, and on-site electricity production from SAF by-products. The facility will also implement stringent air quality protections and stormwater management systems.
Feedstocks and Emissions
SAF produced at Project Wigeon will use RNG feedstocks, such as biogenic methane from landfills, wastewater treatment facilities, and animal farms. This approach can reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by up to 85% compared to fossil jet fuel.
Support and Funding
Washington state supports SAF development through policies like Senate Bill 5447 and the Washington State Alternative Jet Fuels Workgroup. The Washington State Department of Commerce awarded a $1.5 million grant to the Port of Walla Walla to support the facility's construction, highlighting the project's economic potential and the state's commitment to clean energy transition.
