The FAA has recently allocated $291 million in grants for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and related technologies. These funds, authorized under the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, are aimed at supporting the Biden administration’s ambitious goal of reaching 3 billion gallons of domestic SAF production annually by 2030. This production target represents a significant step towards accounting for 10% of aviation fuel consumption in the U.S.
The majority of the funding, amounting to $244.5 million, is earmarked for 22 specific projects that focus on producing, transporting, blending, or storing SAF, as well as for conducting relevant studies. Some noteworthy examples of these projects include providing $16.8 million to SAF producer Gevo for the conversion of an existing fuel facility in Luverne, Minnesota into one dedicated to refining alcohol into SAF. Additionally, $14.6 million has been allocated to Arcadia EFuels in Texas for the construction of a SAF plant with a production capacity estimated at 23.2 million gallons annually by 2028.
The remaining $46.5 million in grants will go towards supporting various low-emissions aviation projects. For instance, the FAA has awarded $8 million to startup JetZero, which is developing a blended-wing aircraft design anticipated to reduce carbon emissions and fuel burn by up to 50%. Blended-wing aircraft designs offer a more streamlined shape by integrating the wings with the fuselage, thereby reducing aerodynamic drag and overall aircraft weight.
Despite significant progress, global SAF production still faces challenges. While production is set to triple this year to 500 million gallons according to IATA, this volume only accounts for 0.5% of the aviation industry’s fuel requirements. The slow ramp-up of SAF production has led to a 19% reduction in the forecast for SAF production by 2030 by IATA. Moreover, airlines like Air New Zealand have already faced setbacks in meeting their emissions-reduction targets due to issues related to the availability and affordability of SAF.
Airlines have been urging governments to provide more subsidies and incentives to support SAF production. They have also criticized major energy producers for not doing enough in this regard. However, critics have pointed out that airlines themselves may not be allocating sufficient resources towards SAF and other emissions-reduction initiatives. Collaborative efforts between governments, industry stakeholders, and environmental organizations are crucial to overcoming the challenges hindering the widespread adoption of SAF and achieving sustainable aviation in the future.
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