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Photo from Long Beach GovernmentThe Long Beach City Council unanimously approved a vote to implement a new subsidy program to accelerate the transition to leaded to unleaded avgas. The vote on Jan. 23 will launch a program for general aviation users at the Long Beach Airport (LGB), making it one of a small group of airports in the country offering a financial subsidy to encourage the purchase of unleaded aviation fuel.
"By subsidizing the transition to unleaded fuel, Long Beach Airport is leading the way on this pressing national issue," Mayor Rex Richardson said. "We began down this path in October 2022 and we are proud to take this next step. We know this environmental issue is of great concern to our community and we're proud to play a leading role in enacting change in the aviation industry."
The 9 to 0 vote will initiate the roll-out of the new program, staying in line with the FAA's goal to eliminate leaded avgas for piston-powered aircraft by 2030. An unleaded alternative, unleaded 94-grade fuel (UL94), has been available at LGB since August 2023 through Signature Aviation at Aeroplex. Customers pay $2-$4 more per gallon than the leaded 100-grade fuel (100LL). With the subsidy program, fuel providers can sell the UL94 for the same cost as the 100LL. The city anticipates that the cost of unleaded gas will decrease as the demand increases and the Unleaded Aviation Fuel Subsidy Program will help to encourage the process. With the City Council's approval, airport staff will start working with fuel providers to implement the program. There is $200,000 in reimbursements available for fuel expenses and covered by Airport revenue.
The city has been working to move towards unleaded gas for years and this program follows a series of actions taken since 2022 to aid in the transition. In October 2022, then Vice Mayor Richardson recommended that the City Manager work with airport staff and stakeholders to develop a plan to reduce lead pollution, which was approved by the City Council. In the recommendation, Richardson said the City Manager should work with LGB and stakeholders to establish a plan to reduce lead pollution and implement programs to transition to unleaded avgas. In December 2022, the City Council voted to waive fuel flowage fees for unleaded gas.
In August 2023 Signature at Aeroplex at LGB received the airport's first delivery of unleaded avgas. One month later, Councilwoman Kerr, co-sponsored by Councilman Supernaw, requested a report on GA, including details on how the use of unleaded avgas could be incentivized. This request was approved by City Council and airport staff published a memo on Oct. 31, 2023. In November 2023 the City Council approved a Supplemental Type Certificate Fee reimbursement program, which took effect in January 2024. The reimbursement program provides up to $300 for aircraft owners to gain the necessary approval from the FAA before their plane can use unleaded fuel.
"We appreciate City Council's support in taking local actions to reduce lead emissions far in advance of the goal set by the federal government," Airport Director Cynthia Guidry said. "We are actively listening to our community and committed to being an environmental leader."
According to the Signal Tribune, the Environmental Protection Agency produces the second-highest lead pollution among airports in the country. The program is estimated to run through mid-2025 when the budget will determine whether the program is extended. The Signal Tribune reported that over 700 Long Beach residents formed a Small Aircraft Noise Reduction group, asking the City Council to limit the number of small planes flying overhead. Rather than appealing to the FAA to change the city's noise ordinance, the City Council opted to incentivize local small aircraft pilots to act neighborly through voluntary solutions. The subsidy program is the first result of the plan.RELATED STORY:Blended-wing aircraft developer JetZero moving into old Gulfstream space in Long Beach
The airport celebrated its 100th anniversary on Nov. 26, 2023 and holds the title of the oldest municipal airport in California. Recently, it welcomed the next-gen developer JetZero into space once occupied by Gulfstream Aerospace. JetZero is developing a blended-wing-body aircraft for commercial and military use, able to fully operate on SAF and eventually adapted for future fuels like liquid hydrogen.