Springfield, Ill. – The Wood River refinery in Roxana is delivering a major boost to the state’s clean‑energy agenda. Thanks to a partnership forged under the Invest in Illinois Act, the facility has produced 11 million gallons of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) that will be blended with conventional jet fuel for United Airlines flights out of O’Hare International Airport.
State policy drives the project
Governor JB Pritzker highlighted the refinery’s new hydrocracker unit as a cornerstone of Illinois’ effort to turn agricultural by‑products into high‑value fuel. The governor said the project creates new markets for used cooking oil, tallow and distiller’s corn oil, giving Illinois farmers and processors a profitable outlet for waste streams.
Illinois was the first state to adopt a SAF tax credit, a measure that closes the price gap between conventional jet fuel and the greener alternative. The credit, combined with incentives from the Invest in Illinois Act, attracted Phillips 66, United Airlines, Microsoft and other partners to the venture.
Economic and environmental impact
State leaders estimate the SAF will eliminate the emissions from roughly 800,000 passenger trips departing O’Hare each year. The project also supports local jobs, from refinery operators to logistics workers handling the agricultural feedstocks.
“At Phillips 66, safety is a core value,” said Vice President Heath Wanamaker. He added that the company’s commitment to safety extends to protecting the community and the environment, underscoring the refinery’s role in a cleaner Midwest air travel market.
Industry partners praise the initiative
United Airlines Chief Sustainability Officer Lauren Riley called the effort a demonstration of how “meaningful policy can shape markets and scale SAF.” She noted that the fuel will be available at O’Hare, giving airlines a domestic source of greener jet fuel and reducing reliance on imported alternatives.
Microsoft, a technology partner in the supply chain, is providing data‑analytics support to optimize feedstock sourcing and fuel blending, further illustrating how private‑sector expertise can amplify state‑level policy goals.
Looking ahead
Governor Pritzker said the success of the Wood River project signals a broader future for sustainable fuel in Illinois. “As we move forward and this industry grows, we will no longer need to turn the crank on it because people will want to come here and use sustainable aviation fuel,” he said.
The refinery continues to supply gasoline and diesel to St. Louis, Chicago and other Midwestern markets, while the new SAF unit positions Illinois as a leader in the emerging clean‑fuel economy.
Original reporting: Capitol City Now (WTAX 1240 Springfield) — read the source article.
