An aviation maintenance technician loads sustainable aviation fuel into a 2021 Boeing Demonstrator. [Courtesy: Boeing]
Key Takeaways:
The Biden administration has established new rules for corn farmers to qualify for subsidies ranging from $1.25 to $1.75 per gallon for producing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
To receive subsidies, farmers must employ "climate-smart" practices, and the resulting corn-based SAF must reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50% compared to fossil jet fuel.
This initiative aims to shift corn ethanol production from gasoline (whose market is declining due to electric vehicles) to aviation fuel, thereby cutting the carbon footprint of jet fuel.
While the measures are approved by the farm community, environmentalists express concerns that a flood of ethanol-based SAF could impede the development of even greener alternative fuels.
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.
