{"id":429457,"date":"2026-03-04T09:56:56","date_gmt":"2026-03-04T08:56:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=429457"},"modified":"2026-03-04T09:56:58","modified_gmt":"2026-03-04T08:56:58","slug":"ethanol-mandates-are-dead-long-live-saf-sustainable-aviation-fuel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=429457","title":{"rendered":"Ethanol Mandates are Dead, Long Live SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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From Watts Up With That?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Essay by<\/strong> Eric Worrall<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A bill has been introduced which could drive up US food prices, for the benefit of EU greens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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US Climate Change Denial May Dampen Ethanol, SAF Demand <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

March 3, 2026
Frank Zaworski <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Insight Focus<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rolling back regulations on greenhouse gases will likely have an impact on biofuels<\/strong>, 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.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis rollback is sort of cementing things that have already been done, such as the relaxation of the fuel economy standards,\u201d said Michael Gerrard, a climate law expert from Columbia University. \u201cBut it really does put US automakers in a bind, because nobody else is going to want to buy American cars.<\/strong>\u201d

\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airlines and Energy Firms Double Down on SAF<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, the world is intent on reducing the carbon footprint of air transportation by increasing the use of SAF.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the US, a draft farm bill from the House Ag Committee calls for USDA to develop a plan to advance production of SAF.<\/strong> The bill would include using crops and promoting public-private partnerships that would lead to commercial-scale production of SAF.

\u2026Read more: https:\/\/www.czapp.com\/analyst-insights\/us-climate-change-denial-may-dampen-ethanol-saf-demand\/<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The text of the bill;<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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S.144 \u2013 Farm to Fly Act of 2025 119th Congress (2025-2026)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sponsor:<\/th>Sen. Moran, Jerry [R-KS]<\/a> (Introduced 01\/16\/2025)<\/td><\/tr>
Committees:<\/th>Senate \u2013 Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry<\/td><\/tr>
Latest Action:<\/th>Senate \u2013 01\/16\/2025 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.  (All Actions<\/a>)<\/td><\/tr>
Tracker: Tip<\/strong><\/td>This bill has the status Introduced<\/strong>

Here are the steps for Status of Legislation: Introduced => Passed Senate => Passed House => To President => Became Law<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Summary: S.144 \u2014 119th Congress (2025-2026)All Information<\/a> (Except Text)<\/small><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Listen<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is one summary for S.144. Bill summaries<\/a> are authored by CRS<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shown Here:
Introduced in Senate (01\/16\/2025)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Farm to Fly Act of 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to integrate the advancement of sustainable aviation fuels into its programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For purposes of these programs, the bill defines sustainable aviation fuel<\/em> 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).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Further, USDA must carry out a comprehensive and integrated pursuit of all USDA mission areas for the advancement of sustainable aviation fuels, including through<\/p>\n\n\n\n