Sponsors (18)
The bill promotes domestic SAF production and rural economic gains and can reduce aviation lifecycle emissions, but it raises risks of increased public spending, land‑use competition that can push up food/input costs, potential concentration of benefits among larger firms, and limits on near‑term fuel supply from strict eligibility rules.
Farmers and agricultural producers will gain new markets and higher demand for SAF feedstocks, boosting farm incomes and rural economic development.
Rural communities that host feedstock production or conversion facilities will see increased local economic activity and job growth from expanded SAF supply chains.
Aviation lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions could be reduced as certified SAF displaces conventional jet fuel, producing climate and air-quality benefits.
Consumers, food producers, and rural communities could face higher food and input costs if rising SAF feedstock demand increases competition for land and agricultural inputs.
Taxpayers may bear increased public spending or open-ended program obligations if USDA programs or Section 9003 funds support SAF projects without offsetting appropriations or guaranteed commercial viability.
The ≥50% lifecycle GHG reduction threshold and explicit feedstock exclusions (e.g., palm fatty acid distillates, coprocessing limits) could reduce near‑term SAF supply and raise costs for airlines and travelers.
Based on analysis of 5 sections of legislative text.
Adds sustainable aviation fuel into USDA bioenergy program authorities, defines SAF and feedstock rules, and establishes a USDA-led Farm to Fly coordination initiative.
Creates a USDA-led effort to expand sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) use by adding SAF to existing bioenergy program authorities, defining SAF and related feedstocks, and setting minimum lifecycle greenhouse gas reduction and fuel-quality criteria. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to coordinate a cross-agency "Farm to Fly" collaboration to accelerate SAF development, leverage agriculture and forestry feedstocks, and promote rural economic opportunities—without authorizing new funding or changing tax law.
Introduced February 27, 2025 by Max Miller · Last progress February 27, 2025