SAF Legislation Reintroduced in Senate

Senators Reintroduce SAF Bill Day After Trump Executive Order Freezes 45Z

Todd Neeley
By  Todd Neeley , DTN Environmental Editor
Connect with Todd:
A bipartisan group of senators reintroduced the "Farm to Fly Act" to support sustainable aviation fuel production. (Photo by Stuart Rankin (CC-BY-NC-2.0) 2023)

LINCOLN, Neb. (DTN) -- One day after President Donald Trump signed an executive order freezing all federal regulations pending a 60-day review to include the 45Z Clean Fuels Production credit from the Inflation Reduction Act, a bipartisan group of senators reintroduced the "Farm to Fly Act" to accelerate the production of sustainable aviation fuel.

Trump's orders signed on Monday freeze any new rules that have been published in the Federal Register but have not taken effect. That applies to guidance documents including the Treasury guidance on 45Z.

The "Farm to Fly Act" would clarify eligibility for sustainable aviation fuel in the USDA's current bioenergy programs and would expand markets for crops used to produce SAF.

The legislation previously introduced would provide for "greater collaboration" on aviation biofuels at USDA and would increase partnerships with the private sector, according to a news release from the senators.

The bill also affirms a common definition for SAF at USDA that is "widely supported" by the industry to "enable U.S. crops to most effectively" contribute to SAF production.

The bill was reintroduced by Sens. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa; Jerry Moran, R-Kan.; Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill.; Pete Ricketts, R-Neb.; Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn.; and Joni Ernst, R-Iowa.

"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 in a statement.

"This legislation would increase the accessibility of biofuels for commercial use and directly support rural America and its farmers, the agriculture industry and the aviation sector."

The legislation has received wide support from agriculture, aviation and energy interests.

J.D. Hanna, president of Kansas Corn Growers Association, said in a statement that the bill would be an important step toward growth into SAF production for farmers and biofuels producers.

"Corn-based ethanol is poised to play a key role in sustainable aviation fuel and this legislation builds on our ongoing SAF efforts with airline companies," Hanna said.

"It is imperative that we continue to build viable markets for American farmers and ethanol-based SAF would be a game-changer for corn and ethanol producers and the rural economy."

Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy, said the bill is "even more important" than it was in the last Congress as the rural economy is "currently facing a period of significant financial strain.

"Creating new opportunities to increase farm income must be a priority for the incoming Congress and this bill would be a great start," Skor said in a statement.

Cherie Wilson, vice president of government affairs for Delta Air Lines, said developing SAF was important for airline companies to decarbonize their fuel supply.

"SAF is the most important lever we have today to decarbonize aviation, but it can also become the fuel that helps power America's economic engine by creating good-paying jobs in the agricultural, feedstock production, construction and manufacturing sectors," Wilson said.

"SAF is not only a certain job creator but scaling the SAF market here in the U.S. will reduce U.S. reliance on foreign energy sources and increase our global industrial competitiveness."

Amy France, chairman of the National Sorghum Producers, said in a statement that the legislation was needed to "allow flexibility for commodities" to benefit from renewable fuels production.

In September 2024, Moran, Duckworth, Klobuchar and Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., launched the "Sustainable Aviation Caucus."

Read more on DTN:

"Trump Emergency on Energy Includes Order for Year-Round E15," https://www.dtnpf.com/…

Todd Neeley can be reached at todd.neeley@dtn.com

Follow him on social platform X @DTNeeley

Todd Neeley

Todd Neeley
Connect with Todd: