Ernst, Grassley Support Bipartisan Bill to Solidify Future of Iowa Biofuels in Aviation
WASHINGTON– U.S. Senators Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), members of the Senate Agriculture Committee, are supporting the Sustainable Aviation Fuels Accuracy Act of 2023, comprehensive bipartisan legislation to identify the standards required to meet the definition of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The legislation prevents the federal government from penalizing the agriculture sector and biofuel producers from participating in the SAF market, by using the Greenhouse Gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy Use in Technologies (GREET) model to assess production practices.
“As we work towards energy independence, it is important to allow our homegrown, clean biofuel to meet the needs of the U.S. aviation industry. Our measure ensures America’s domestic energy production is driven by the U.S. GREET model rather than rely on the current international model dictated by foreign countries like China and Russia. Not only is this model better for our national security, but it also provides an opportunity to support our hard-working American farmers,” said Senator Ernst.
“Expanding sustainable aviation fuel use in commercial aviation would create significant opportunities for Iowa biofuel development. However, legal discrepancies and the FAA’s use of outdated lifecycle emissions data are market barriers,” said Grassley. “Our bill fixes the problem by requiring the FAA reference the most accurate GREET model for emissions assessments, consistent with many other federal agencies. It would be a win for Iowa agriculture and the environment, encourage innovation and enhance U.S. energy security.”
Most of the SAF comes from biofuels, or biomass derived fuels, using plants or waste. The United States is one of the top producers of SAF and utilizes Iowa crops to produce homegrown biofuels. SAF also allows the U.S. to decrease our reliance on foreign oil from our adversaries, like Russia, and replace them with clean, American-made renewable fuels, bolstering our national security.
“We appreciate the bipartisan leadership of Senators Duckworth, Ernst, Klobuchar and Fischer when it comes to ensuring the federal government takes an accurate and consistent approach to assessing sustainable aviation fuels from all feedstocks, including fuels using agriculture feedstocks,” said Tom Haag, National Corn Growers Association President. “Using the best science is essential to the success of these new fuels, and farmers can help make these new fuels possible.”
The Sustainable Aviation Fuels Accuracy Act of 2023 is endorsed by the following organizations: Clean Fuels Alliance America, United Airlines, Renewable Fuels Association, Growth Energy, and the National Corn Growers Association.
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