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Amends 7 U.S.C. 8103 by (1) adding a new purpose in subsection (a) to ‘foster and advance sustainable aviation fuels’, and (2) inserting ‘sustainable aviation fuel’ into the definition of eligible technology in subsection (b)(3) under both subparagraphs (A) and (B), which requires renumbering/redesignating the existing clauses accordingly.
Amends 7 U.S.C. 8101 by (1) modifying paragraph (3)(B) to insert a new clause (v) — adding “biofuel, including sustainable aviation fuel, produced from an intermediate ingredient or feedstock” and redesignating existing clauses (v)–(vii) as (vi)–(viii); and (2) adding a new paragraph (18) that defines “Sustainable aviation fuel,” including specification of applicable ASTM standards, prohibitions on certain feedstocks and coprocessing, a certification requirement of at least 50% lifecycle GHG emissions reduction, and subdefinitions for “applicable material,” “biomass,” and “lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions reduction percentage.”
Creates a legal definition and technical standard for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) within USDA bioenergy law, requires SAF to show at least a 50% lifecycle greenhouse‑gas emissions reduction, and adds SAF to the list of covered bioenergy items. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to lead a cross‑departmental effort to accelerate commercialization, support farmers and foresters as feedstock suppliers, promote rural economic development, and foster public–private partnerships to expand SAF production and use.
Enable access for sustainable aviation fuels within Department of Agriculture bioenergy programs to foster alternative biofuels in national aviation, expand the fuel supply, promote clean energy sources, and support United States agriculture.
Recognize the critical role the United States agricultural sector plays in the production of sustainable aviation fuel and the importance of such fuel to achieving the goals of the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Grand Challenge.
Sustainable aviation fuels have the capacity to increase domestic energy security, support the agricultural sector, and foster the farm economy by accelerating the availability of a commercially viable and sustainable aviation biofuel industry in the United States.
Sustainable aviation fuels provide a critical opportunity to support farmers of the United States and the rest of the agricultural sector in the sector’s partnership with the aviation sector to support rural economic development.
Feedstocks have been identified for sustainable aviation fuels due to the collective abundance and perceived sustainability attributes of such feedstocks.
Who is most affected and how:
Farmers and foresters: Likely to gain new market opportunities to supply eligible biomass and feedstocks for SAF production. Demand for certain crops, residues, and woody biomass could increase, potentially boosting farm and forest incomes and local jobs. Farmers may need to meet sustainability practices required by downstream certification systems.
Biofuel producers, refiners, and feedstock processors: Will see a clearer legal pathway to participate in SAF markets but must meet the new technical, feedstock, and lifecycle GHG requirements (including at least 50% lifecycle emissions reduction). Some production pathways may be ineligible under the statute’s exclusions, creating winners and losers among technology routes.
Airlines and air carriers: Benefit from a federal push to expand commercial SAF supply and supply‑chain coordination; availability of certified SAF could help airlines reduce their lifecycle emissions footprints and meet industry commitments and regulatory programs (e.g., CORSIA), though fuel cost and supply timing remain uncertain.
Rural communities and local economies: Could see economic development from new processing facilities, feedstock supply chains, and jobs tied to SAF commercialization, but impacts will vary by region and feedstock type.
U.S. Department of Agriculture and other federal agencies: USDA is directed to lead coordination and planning, which will require staff time, interagency engagement, program guidance, and possible future program design or reprioritization to support SAF objectives. No direct appropriations are included, so implementation may depend on existing program flexibility or future funding actions.
Environmental and regulatory implications:
Overall balance:
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Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Introduced January 16, 2025 by Jerry Moran · Last progress January 16, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Introduced in Senate