The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has awarded $291 million in grants from the Inflation Reduction Act for projects designed to help achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from aviation by 2050.
The Fueling Aviations Sustainable Transition (FAST) grants include $244.5 million for 22 projects that produce, transport, blend or store sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) as well as for scoping studies related to SAF infrastructure needs and another $46.5 million for 14 projects that develop, demonstrate or apply low-emission aviation technologies.
SAFs are jet fuels developed from renewable sources that reduce carbon pollution compared to conventional jet fuel used today.
Together, the grants will expand SAF production, enhance SAF supply chains and increase SAF accessibility in addition to reducing carbon pollution, improving aircraft fuel efficiency and increasing SAF use.
Notable grants include $16.8 million to Gevo, Inc. to convert an existing fuel facility to a fully integrated alcohol-to-jet facility for SAF production in Luverne, Minnesota and $240,000 to the City of Atlanta to conduct a study of regional supply chains, infrastructure and distribution needs to enable SAF deployment at one of the world's busiest airports in Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
"The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to enhancing the safety, sustainability and efficiency of our national air transportation systemand reaching our mid-century target of net-zero emissions," U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg said in a statement. "These grants will help put the world on a path toward decarbonizing aviation while fostering domestic economic growth and ensuring the U.S. retains its global leadership in aviation."
"The projects are instrumental in advancing our environmental and economic sustainability goals by facilitating the development and implementation of sustainable aviation fuels," added Laurence Wildgoose, FAA Assistant Administrator for Policy, International Affairs and Environment.
"All grant recipients are based in the U.S. and are working towards putting the aviation sector on a path to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions as outlined in the U.S. Aviation Climate Action Plan."
In April, Boeing announced it was purchasing 9.4 million gallons of blended sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to support its 2024 U.S. commercial operations and Alaska Airlines put SAF credits on sale to its passengers in May.
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