WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), a senior member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, joined Sens. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) on legislation to accelerate sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) development through existing U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs. Their Farm to Fly Act would clarify federal SAF language and encourage collaboration between USDA and private sector alternative energy producers.
"Embracing biofuels is positive for Iowa farmers and the environment. By expanding opportunities for investment in sustainable aviation fuels at the USDA, our bill aims to diversify and onshore American energy production while encouraging economic activity," Grassley said.
“Sustainable aviation fuel is a promising alternative fuel source that can provide new markets for farmers while increasing our domestic energy production and security,” Moran said. “This legislation would increase the accessibility of biofuel for commercial use and directly support rural America and its farmers, the agriculture industry and the aviation sector.”
“As we work toward energy independence, the U.S. Greenhouse gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy use in Technologies (GREET) model will play a key role in allowing homegrown, Iowa biofuel to meet the needs of the U.S. aviation industry while also creating new markets for biofuel producers,” Ernst said. “An investment in the development of sustainable aviation fuel is an investment in our national security, our environment, and our farmers.”
“Alternative energies like sustainable aviation fuel create jobs in rural areas, bolster our national security, and reduce carbon emissions from air travel,” Klobuchar said. “This bipartisan bill with Senators Moran and Ernst will be another step forward in securing new markets for domestically produced biofuel.”
“One of the most important things we can do to make American aviation more sustainable is increase the supply of American-grown, American-made sustainable aviation fuel,” Duckworth said. “I’m proud to partner with Senators Moran, Klobuchar, Ernst and Grassley to introduce our bipartisan bill that will build off of my Sustainable Aviation Fuel Accuracy Act to increase USDA’s collaboration with the aviation biofuels sector and expand the market of sustainable aviation fuel, which would be a true win-win solution that supports domestic farmers and blenders while reducing our nation’s carbon footprint.”
Specifically, the Farm to Fly Act would:
The legislation has garnered support from stakeholders spanning the agriculture, energy and aviation sectors. Rep. Max Miller (R-Ohio) is leading the House companion bill alongside seven of his colleagues, including Reps. Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa) and Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa).
-30-