US Federal Aviation Administration awards nearly $300 million for SAF projects, low-emission aviation technologies

The Federal Aviation Administration announced Aug. 16 that it is awarding $291 million from the Inflation Reduction Act for projects that will help achieve the goal of net-zero greenhouse gas-emissions from aviation by 2050.

“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,” said Pete Buttigieg, the U.S. secretary of transportation.

The Fueling Aviation’s Sustainable Transition grants include: 

• $244.5 million for 22 projects that produce, transport, blend or store sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and for scoping studies related to SAF infrastructure needs. SAF is a jet fuel made from renewable sources that reduces carbon pollution on a lifecycle basis compared to conventional jet fuel and can be used safely in today’s aircraft and engines. These grants will expand SAF production, enhance SAF supply chains and increase SAF accessibility.

• $46.5 million for 14 projects that develop, demonstrate or apply low-emission aviation technologies. These grants will reduce carbon pollution, improve aircraft fuel efficiency and increase SAF use.

Example grant awards include: 

• $16.8 million to Gevo Inc. to convert an existing fuel facility in Luverne, Minnesota, to a fully integrated alcohol-to-jet production facility for SAF production.

• $240,000 to the City of Atlanta to conduct a study of regional supply chains, infrastructure and distribution needs to enable SAF deployment at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Georgia.

• $8 million to JetZero Inc. to develop key enabling technologies for a highly fuel efficient blended-wing-body airplane. This work will occur in Long Beach, California; Wichita, Kansas; and Starkville, Mississippi.

• $2.7 million to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to build a test facility to mature high-power electrified airplane technologies.

“The projects are instrumental in advancing our environmental and economic sustainability goals by facilitating the development and implementation of sustainable aviation fuels,” said 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 toward achieving net-zero greenhouse-gas emissions as outlined in the U.S. Aviation Climate Action Plan.”

FAST grant awardees include established and startup fuel producers; fuel-logistics and supply-chain companies; engine, aircraft and component manufacturers; state and local governments; airport authorities; and universities.

These awardees will carry out FAST projects in 23 states across the country. 

Find more information about the FAA’s environmental efforts at its Sustainability Gateway Page.