Budzinski Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Support Increased Use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel

WASHINGTON — This week, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13) and Congressman Mike Flood (R-NE-01) introduced the Sustainable Aviation Fuels Accuracy Act of 2023 — bipartisan legislation to support increased use of homegrown sustainable fuels in the aviation industry. The bill would update regulations at the Federal Aviation Administration to clarify the standards required to meet the definition of sustainable aviation fuel.  

“Expanding our use of sustainable aviation fuel is an opportunity to cut harmful emissions, support family farmers and reduce our reliance on foreign energy sources,” said Congresswoman Budzinski. “Today, I’m proud to join Congressman Mike Flood to introduce bipartisan legislation that would give our biofuels producers the clear guidelines and regulatory certainty they need to bring aviation fuel into the future.”

“Nebraska is a leader in biofuels, growing and producing a significant portion of the nation’s supply,” said Congressman Flood. “The Sustainable Aviation Fuels Accuracy Act brings integrity to the definition of Sustainable Aviation Fuel and ensures that more Americans reap the benefits of a robust SAF. It’s an honor to co-introduce this bill alongside Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski, and we look forward to working with our colleagues in the Senate on passage of this important legislation.”

“Farmers and biofuels producers continue to innovate and decarbonize, and it is imperative that we use the latest and best life cycle modeling to recognize progress already made while properly incentivizing continued innovation at both the farm and biorefinery. American agriculture has a critical role to play in producing new fuels like SAF, and Green Plains is grateful for the efforts of Congresswoman Budzinski and Congressman Flood to ensure that we are a part of that future,” said Green Plains Inc. President and CEO Todd Becker.

The Sustainable Aviation Fuels Accuracy Act of 2023 would require the federal government to use the most up-to-date lifecycle emissions models—including the U.S. Department of Energy commissioned, Argonne National Lab’s Greenhouse Gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy Use in Technologies Model or GREET model—that accurately considers crops, land uses and carbon reduction practices in the U.S and does not arbitrarily prevent our American farmers and crops from contributing to the green economy.

The legislation is supported by Green Plains, Inc., Growth Energy, the Clean Fuels Alliance of America, the American Soybean Association, the National Corn Growers Association, the Renewable Fuels Association, Gevo, LanzaJet and United Airlines. Senate companion legislation is led by U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA).

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