An alternative fuels plant planned for Pittsburgh International Airport could meet its aviation fueling needs.
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Pittsburgh International Airport (KPIT) has announced a partnership that could propel it to the forefront of sustainable aviation. In cooperation with KeyState Energy and CNX Resources, KPIT is looking to develop a new renewable fuel facility on the field that could produce up to 68,000 tonnes of clean hydrogen or 70 million gallons of sustainable aviation fuel a year. That amount would be nearly enough to replace all jet-A consumed at the airport and at a price on par with that of jet-A.
The plant will offer the flexibility to produce both products simultaneously at varying amounts to satisfy demand.
The fate of the $1.5 billion project hinges upon the U.S. Treasury Department enabling a pathway for the use of ultra-low-carbon-intensity fugitive coal mine methane—a resource abundant in the Pennsylvania coal region—under the 45V Hydrogen Production Tax Credit. Established under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, this provides hydrogen producers with a tax credit of up to $3 per kilogram of “green hydrogen”—meaning it’s produced via electrolysis using renewable energy sources such as solar and wind.
“Because of this exciting new project, Pittsburgh International Airport will become home to one of the largest facilities in the nation that specializes in the innovative process of using hydrogen gas to produce sustainable aviation fuel,” said Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) “It will help support thousands of new union jobs and provide a look at how cutting-edge innovation in Pennsylvania is helping to build the energy economy of the future.”
Pittsburgh International Airport (KPIT) has announced a partnership that could propel it to the forefront of sustainable aviation. In cooperation with KeyState Energy and CNX Resources, KPIT is looking to develop a new renewable fuel facility on the field that could produce up to 68,000 tonnes of clean hydrogen or 70 million gallons of sustainable aviation fuel a year. That amount would be nearly enough to replace all jet-A consumed at the airport and at a price on par with that of jet-A.
The plant will offer the flexibility to produce both products simultaneously at varying amounts to satisfy demand.
The fate of the $1.5 billion project hinges upon the U.S. Treasury Department enabling a pathway for the use of ultra-low-carbon-intensity fugitive coal mine methane—a resource abundant in the Pennsylvania coal region—under the 45V Hydrogen Production Tax Credit.
“Because of this exciting new project, Pittsburgh International Airport will become home to one of the largest facilities in the nation that specializes in the innovative process of using hydrogen gas to produce sustainable aviation fuel,” said Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) “It will help support thousands of new union jobs and provide a look at how cutting-edge innovation in Pennsylvania is helping to build the energy economy of the future.”