Our nation is at a pivotal moment where we can strengthen domestic energy security, open new markets for American farmers, and provide a sustainable energy resource for the aviation industry.
One opportunity is sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), which has emerged as a powerful way to achieve domestic energy security and meet the growing demand for renewable energy while supporting rural economies through the use of agricultural feedstocks.
The economic benefits of investing in SAF are clear. SAF production boosts employment, improves rural infrastructure, and increases farm income. Major studies indicate that SAF could generate up to $78 billion annually in U.S. GDP while creating jobs in every state.
The U.S. biofuels industry is a world leader in innovation and production, providing essential renewable energy and supporting thousands of jobs in rural communities. This success is largely due to long-term incentives for biofuels, which have driven growth and innovation. Comparable support for the SAF industry is necessary to ensure our competitive edge as this market develops.
For farmers, SAF offers tremendous opportunities. It opens new agricultural markets and promotes rural economic development. SAF is made from various renewable feedstocks, providing new avenues for farmers to make efficient use of their farmland in the face of falling farm income. In my district, corn and soybean farmers, who already have experience growing inputs for other renewable fuel products, are eager to sell their crops for SAF to achieve greater financial stability. The growth of the SAF market creates new opportunities for farmers to meet feed-stock challenges, as current demand for SAF far outpaces supply.
Incentivizing SAF production also presents an incredible opportunity to enhance our domestic energy supply chain and provide American businesses access to homegrown clean energy. SAF decreases America’s reliance on imported oil, enhancing energy security and independence. By increasing SAF production, we can protect consumers, businesses, and families from the volatility of global energy markets. However, without a clear roadmap, we risk missing a golden opportunity to fuel flight into the future.
Congress and the Biden-Harris administration must work together to lay the groundwork for expanded production of commercially viable sustainable aviation fuels.
Recognizing the tremendous opportunities of SAF, I was proud to introduce the bipartisan, bicameral Farm to Fly Act (H.R. 6271) to unleash the power of American agriculture to fuel flight. The legislation, largely adopted within the House Agriculture Committee Farm Bill, would facilitate the development of SAF within USDA programs and call for a comprehensive Department-wide mission strategy on sustainable aviation fuels.
Congress must act to enhance long-term incentives for SAF production, distribution, and consumption. Tax incentives for SAF have broad bipartisan support, but they are set to expire just as key investment decisions are being made. We must ensure these incentives are extended to reflect our long-term goals and allow farmers to fuel aviation’s future.
Finally, the administration must fully empower the U.S. development of sustainable aviation fuels as envisioned by Congress with clear guidelines for the Clean Fuel Production Tax Credit (45Z). This will give farmers, renewable fuel producers, and other stakeholders the certainty they need to invest in the future of biofuels.
For domestic SAF to succeed, U.S. policy must prioritize long-term measures that support its production. These policies will unlock new markets for farmers, drive rural economic growth, and enhance our domestic energy resources. Now is the time to pass common-sense policies that will fuel flight into the future.
Congressman Max Miller represents Ohio’s Seventh District, which includes Medina and Wayne counties as well as parts of Cuyahoga and Holmes counties. First elected in 2022, Miller serves on the House Agriculture Committee and the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, for which he is also Chairman of the Environment Subcommittee.