An aviation maintenance technician loads sustainable aviation fuel into a 2021 Boeing Demonstrator. [Courtesy: Boeing]
Key Takeaways:
The Biden administration has established new rules offering subsidies ($1.25-$1.75/gallon) to corn farmers for producing feedstock for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
To qualify for subsidies, farmers must use "climate-smart" practices, and the resulting SAF must reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50% compared to fossil jet fuel.
This initiative aims to repurpose corn currently used for ethanol in gasoline, shifting to SAF production as the electric car market grows.
While the farm community supports the move, environmentalists are concerned that corn-based SAF may hinder the development of even greener fuel alternatives.
The Biden administration has established rules for corn farmers to qualify for subsidies to supply feedstock for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
The corn is now used to make ethanol, which is added to gasoline, but the move to electric cars will diminish that market. Ethanol can be turned into jet-A, however, and will cut the carbon footprint of jet fuel.
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Russ Niles is Editor-in-Chief of AVweb. He has been a pilot for 30 years and joined AVweb 22 years ago. He and his wife Marni live in southern British Columbia where they also operate a small winery.
