Administrator proposes billions for clean aviation fuel

USAgNet - 03/13/2024

The administrator's recent budget request for the fiscal year 2025 earmarks $7.3 trillion toward national priorities, with a notable emphasis on clean energy advancements, especially in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

The proposal outlines substantial investments across the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to support SAF development and deployment, marking a significant step in the administration's commitment to combat climate change.

The DOE stands to receive $10.6 billion for its climate and clean energy initiatives, including a $1 billion push to slash pollution from industrial sectors. This effort highlights nearly $900 million dedicated to commercializing clean technologies, such as SAF and zero-emission vehicles, underscoring the government's strategy to lead by example in the transition to a greener economy.

The DOE’s Bioenergy Technologies Office is allocated $280 million to specifically bolster SAF initiatives, illustrating the pivotal role of bioenergy in achieving sustainability goals.

Additionally, the budget proposes $8.5 billion for the DOE to assist researchers and entrepreneurs in bringing clean energy innovations to market, with SAF being a key focus area alongside offshore wind and grid improvements. Meanwhile, the DOT’s Federal Aviation Administration is set to receive $71 million for next-gen environmental research, further advancing SAF technologies and aligning with broader environmental commitments.

The USDA’s contribution to this effort includes backing the SAF Grand Challenge, a collaborative endeavor with the DOE and DOT aimed at reducing SAF costs and expanding production. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to foster a biobased economy, creating jobs and promoting sustainable practices across America’s rural landscape.

In a global context, the budget highlights trade policy engagement with Japan, resulting in a commitment to double ethanol demand by 2030 for both vehicles and SAF. The USDA’s investment in sustainable crops, biomanufacturing, and education aims to ensure comprehensive benefits from SAF production, emphasizing the critical importance of agricultural feedstocks in the clean energy transition.

The Administrative budget for 2025 represents a strategic investment in the future of clean transportation, with SAF taking center stage as a key component of the nation’s energy and environmental strategy.

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