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Private-public partnerships, investments spurring expansion of sustainable aviation fuel

The U.S. airline industry has set new carbon goals and new government partnerships should help to meet them, likely benefiting the biofuels sector.

Airlines for America says their members have set a goal to make three billion gallons of sustainable aviation fuel available to operators in 2030.  The announcement increases the group’s earlier target by 50 percent as part of efforts to get to net-zero by 2050.

Aviation leaders say more positive government support is needed to meet goals including blender tax credits, additional research and deployment of programs.

A new memorandum of understanding between them, the U.S. Departments of Energy, Transportation, and Agriculture completed at a recent White House roundtable outlines the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Grand Challenge and steps needed for a low carbon future.

Chevron and Gevo this week have also announced intent to jointly invest in sustainable aviation fuel through building and operating new facilities processing corn for biofuel production.  Plans for a plant are currently underway in South Dakota.

The Renewable Fuels Association and Growth Energy participated in the roundtable discussion and are also calling for new tax incentives that reduce carbon emissions and support the biofuels sectors.