Washington State Ban, Too Much, Too Fast

The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) has joined other general aviation associations in opposing a Washington-State House of Representatives bill that would ban the sale of leaded aviation gas in that loveliest of U.S. states held captive in perpetuity by left-leaning Seattle lawmakers. The bill—WA HB1554—would, as of 01 January 2024, begin a phased-in restriction on the “selling, distributing, or otherwise making available to consumers” leaded avgas in Washington State. Subject restrictions would initially be placed on those airports in the areas of greatest population with additional restrictions culminating in a complete ban for the entire state in 2030.

The letter—signed by EAA, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), Helicopter Association International (HAI), and the National Air Transportation Association (NATA)—was sent prior to a 01 February 2023 committee hearing on the bill.

The aviation associations, by dint of the letter, reaffirmed the industry’s commitment to moving to a lead-free fuel. The groups pointed out, however, that a ban on leaded aviation fuel would occasion an immediate threat to Washington State pilots and aircraft owners that require leaded fuel—not to mention the entirety of the people, places, electric automobiles, coffee shops, hop farms, microbreweries, apple orchards, and marijuana dispensaries over which they fly. Moreover, the legislation would engender instant, likely insuperable economic hardship for small fuel-sellers on small airports throughout Washington State as pilots would summarily overfly the Evergreen State for purpose of purchasing fuel in neighboring Oregon, Idaho, or British Columbia.

“Progress is being made towards an unleaded future,” the letter states. “At the federal level, HAI, EAA, GAMA and NATA continue to co-lead the Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions (EAGLE) Initiative with the stated goal of removing lead by the end of 2030. EAGLE includes the FAA, industry, and other aviation advocacy organizations and is supported by Federal funding and industry in-kind support for the testing, evaluation, approval, and deployment of unleaded fuels.”

Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) northwest mountain regional manager Brad Schuster provided in-person and written statements opposing the bill. To edify the committee vis-a-vis aviation industry efforts to implement lead-free solutions, Schuster highlighted the safety and economic impacts the proposed restrictions are apt to have on the state’s aviation infrastructure.

The committee also heard statements set forth by parties opposed to the bill. The Washington Public Ports Association, which includes approximately 34 airports in various state port authority jurisdictions, as well as the Washington State Department of Transportation Interim State Aviation Directory also provided statements highlighting the safety and economic impacts the proposed restrictions would have were the bill to pass as drafted.

In opposing the legislation, the EAA and aviation industry associations contemporaneously supported the EAGLE initiative and encouraged airport operational practices that mitigate lead exposures whenever possible. The associations also welcomed a dialogue with the Washington legislative committee, and asked committee members to lend credence to EAGLE and consider the associations’ collective resources going forward.

EAA and the assemblage of industry associations will continue to monitor developments regarding WA HB1554 and urge EAA members and Washington State pilots to do likewise.

FMI: www.eaa.org