The Renewable Fuels Association thanked a bipartisan group of senators who introduced legislation late yesterday that would clarify the definition of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and specify additional lifecycle GHG methodologies for the sake of federal SAF regulation.
Importantly, the Sustainable Aviation Fuels Accuracy Act of 2023, introduced by Sens. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA), specifies that the Department of Energy Argonne National Laboratory’s GREET model is an allowable methodology for determining SAF lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions. RFA has long argued that the Argonne GREET model is scientifically superior to other lifecycle GHG methodologies, including the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) model. RFA remains concerned that the ICAO model relies on outdated and inaccurate information that could result in severely constraining the supply of qualifying feedstocks for SAF.
“We thank Sen. Duckworth and her colleagues for working together on this important legislation that will better facilitate growth in SAF production and use,” said RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “By including the most robust and accurate lifecycle GHG model, this legislation would ensure America’s farmers and renewable fuel producers have the opportunity to meaningfully contribute to the goal of producing 3 billion gallons of SAF by 2030.”
In a 2021 letter to congressional leadership, RFA and allies pointed out that the GREET model has been the state-of-the-art model used globally to measure life cycle greenhouse gas emissions from transportation, and that Congress should be using a U.S.-based lifecycle emissions model when determining U.S.-based tax incentives.
