From Watts Up With That?
Essay by Eric Worrall
A bill has been introduced which could drive up US food prices, for the benefit of EU greens.
US Climate Change Denial May Dampen Ethanol, SAF Demand
March 3, 2026
Frank ZaworskiInsight Focus
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Rolling back regulations on greenhouse gases will likely have an impact on biofuels, as the petroleum and auto industries celebrate the potential removal of restrictions on the production of their respective products. The rollbacks may also somewhat disincentivise further development within the biofuels sector.
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“This rollback is sort of cementing things that have already been done, such as the relaxation of the fuel economy standards,” said Michael Gerrard, a climate law expert from Columbia University. “But it really does put US automakers in a bind, because nobody else is going to want to buy American cars.”
…Airlines and Energy Firms Double Down on SAF
Meanwhile, the world is intent on reducing the carbon footprint of air transportation by increasing the use of SAF.
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In the US, a draft farm bill from the House Ag Committee calls for USDA to develop a plan to advance production of SAF. The bill would include using crops and promoting public-private partnerships that would lead to commercial-scale production of SAF.
…Read more: https://www.czapp.com/analyst-insights/us-climate-change-denial-may-dampen-ethanol-saf-demand/
It is sad that a biofuel bill has been proposed which would drive up the price of food, despite all the efforts President Trump has made to liberate Americans from market distorting green mandates.
The text of the bill;
S.144 – Farm to Fly Act of 2025 119th Congress (2025-2026)
Sponsor: Sen. Moran, Jerry [R-KS] (Introduced 01/16/2025) Committees: Senate – Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Latest Action: Senate – 01/16/2025 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (All Actions) Tracker: Tip This bill has the status Introduced
Here are the steps for Status of Legislation: Introduced => Passed Senate => Passed House => To President => Became LawSummary: S.144 — 119th Congress (2025-2026)All Information (Except Text)
There is one summary for S.144. Bill summaries are authored by CRS.
Shown Here:
Introduced in Senate (01/16/2025)Farm to Fly Act of 2025
This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to integrate the advancement of sustainable aviation fuels into its programs.
Specifically, this bill includes sustainable aviation fuel as an advanced biofuel for the purposes of several USDA bioenergy programs that primarily provide support and incentives for renewable energy projects.
For purposes of these programs, the bill defines sustainable aviation fuel as liquid fuel, the portion of which is not kerosene, which (1) meets specific international standards, (2) is not derived from coprocessing specific materials (e.g., triglycerides) with a non-biomass feedstock, (3) is not derived from palm fatty acid distillates or petroleum, and (4) is certified as having a lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions reduction percentage of at least 50% compared with petroleum-based jet fuel (based on specific standards and agreements).
In addition, the bill specifically includes fostering and advancing sustainable aviation fuels as part of the Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, and Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance Program.
Further, USDA must carry out a comprehensive and integrated pursuit of all USDA mission areas for the advancement of sustainable aviation fuels, including through
- the identification of opportunities to maximize the development and commercialization of the fuels,
- supporting rural economic development through improved sustainability for aviation, and
- advancing public-private partnerships.
Read more: https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/144
I just have one question. WHY?
Pouring government subsidies into a scheme to help EU airlines puts the US government in competition with the US people, over who gets to purchase agricultural produce, for no net benefit whatsoever to anyone in the USA, except for farmers who receive subsidies from other taxpayers.
How Biofuel Mandates Raise Food and Energy Prices
Blending requirements harm consumers and the environment
November 4th 2022
By Adin RichardsThe U.S. biofuel mandate fails at its stated objectives, worsens food security, and increases costs for consumers. Biofuels are plant-derived substitutes for petroleum-based transportation fuels. Congress has mandated their use since 2005 as part of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The government’s mandate was justified by claiming it would reduce emissions, increase U.S. energy security, spur the development of more advanced biofuels, and help American farmers. In practice, the Renewable Fuel Standard has delivered on only one of its initial promises: boosting the incomes of American farmers. Conventional biofuels have proven to be more carbon intensivethan fossil fuels, the technology advances that Congress had counted on have not come to fruition, and the U.S. is incapable of producing biofuels at the level the law requires. Rather than increasing American energy independence, the U.S. has become a net biofuel importer in order to meet the biofuel blending mandate. Inflexible federal policy has also meant that when corn and soybean prices rise, gasoline prices go up, harming U.S. consumers. By diverting crops from livestock feed and human food, biofuel blending mandates also worsen food insecurity, particularly in crises like the one triggered by COVID-19 supply disruptions and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
…Read more: https://ifp.org/biofuel-mandates-raise-food-and-energy-prices/
If the goal is to help farmers and boost food security, instead of hurting consumers by subsidising useless biofuel mandates, why not subsidise food production? I do not support subsidies, but a subsidy which provides no benefit whatsoever to US consumers is next level absurd.
Biofuel mandates have a horrible track record for causing harm. Even Oxfam complained about EU biofuel policies in 2012, and Oxfam normally embrace green policies.
Europe’s thirst for biofuels spells hunger for millions, as food prices shoot up
Published: 17th September 2012
Land used to power European cars with biofuels for one year could produce enough wheat and maize to feed 127 million people, Oxfam reveals ahead of today’s important EU Energy Ministers’ meeting.
With the world’s poorest at greater risk of hunger as a result of spiraling food prices, the international agency is calling on the EU to rethink its dangerous love affair with biofuels.
In a new GROW campaign report, The Hunger Grains, Oxfam warns that Europe’s growing appetite for biofuels is pushing up global food prices and driving people off their land, resulting in deeper hunger and malnutrition in poor countries.
In Europe, EU biofuel mandates could cost every adult about €30 each year by 2020. In 2008, about €3 billion were spent in tax exemptions and other incentives for biofuel production in the EU, comparable to the value of cuts agreed under the controversial Greek bail-out deal in February.
“Depriving millions of people of food, land and water”
…Read more: https://www.oxfam.org/en/press-releases/europes-thirst-biofuels-spells-hunger-millions-food-prices-shoot
Only US voters can stop this nonsense; by making it clear to representatives that they should not support measures which will drive up domestic food prices. If farmers genuinely need government support, at least make it a form of support which provides a tangible benefit. A US taxpayer subsidy which hurts US consumers but helps the green lunatics who run the EU maintain their net zero charade, this makes no sense whatsoever.
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