Davids Forms Bipartisan Congressional Caucus on Aviation Industry Sustainability

Aviation Fuel/Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)Kansas Opinions Organizations Policy South Dakota

July 29, 2024

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by Tim Carpenter (Kansas Reflector) Democratic U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids of Kansas and Republican South Dakota U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson created a special-interest congressional caucus dedicated to integration of new technology into the aviation industry to promote financial sustainability and reduce environmental harm.

Davids, who represents the 3rd District in the Kansas City area, said the Congressional Sustainable Aviation Caucus would bring together aviation leaders and government policymakers to limit the industry’s impact on the environment and contribute to aviation’s long-term economic viability.

“Adopting these sustainable practices is critical for our national security and economic resilience,” she said.

Johnson, the at-large congressman from South Dakota, said the aviation industry was moving toward a more sustainable future through development of alternative fuels as well as automated air transportation systems.

“There are a lot of shifts we can expect to see in the coming years,” said Johnson, who is a graduate of the University of Kansas. “Congress should advance legislative priorities that support innovation through biofuels, national security and passenger safety.”

Davids and Johnson are on the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Another member of the committee is U.S. Rep. Tracey Mann, R-Kansas.

The caucus would be a public-private partnership that pulled together insights of local, state and federal officials as well as industry and nonprofit stakeholders. The caucus would concentrate on what an environmentally and economically competitive aviation future would look like and on issues of fuel production, workforce development and regulatory structure.

Paul Feldman, a lobbyist with the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, said the bipartisan caucus would be capable of highlighting policies, initiatives and developments capable of advancing sustainability goals tied to technology, fuels and emissions.

“General aviation is steadfast in our commitment to mitigate the industry’s impact on the environment through technological and operational improvements as well as the use of sustainable aviation fuel,” he said. READ MORE

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DAVIDS, JOHNSON CREATE BIPARTISAN SUSTAINABLE AVIATION CAUCUS TO REDUCE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT, BOOST FINANCIAL SECURITY (Office of Representative Sharice Davids (D-KS 3rd)
US Congressional Leaders Launch Bipartisan Group To Ensure America Is On The Leading Edge Of Sustainable Aviation (Simple Flying/Alliance for Aviation Across America)
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Excerpt from U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS)/Washington Times: To bring more awareness to SAF, I am excited to announce the Senate Sustainable Aviation Caucus. Last month, the House of Representatives launched its own Sustainable Aviation Caucus, and I’m pleased to lead this effort in the Senate. SAF can unlock tremendous benefits for the economy and our farmers while offering a cleaner source of energy for aircraft and a new energy source for our nation. READ MORE

Excerpt from Simple Flying/Alliance for Aviatin Across America: The group will work to reduce the aviation industry’s environmental impact by providing a forum to stay informed about initiatives to advance sustainability goals through the adoption of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and the integration of technologies that improve aircraft fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.

South Dakota’s Dusty Johnson is leading the charge for more SAF production in the US. The state is already a significant producer of biofuels, such as ethanol derived from corn grown. Speaking to Simple Flying for this piece, Representative Johnson explained the significance of creating a pathway to increase SAF production:

“We fight in this country every year, over 16 billion gallons. The global aviation market is 200 billion gallons a year. We want to make sure that America is at the leading edge of delivering those new-generation biofuels. So we want to make sure that Congress, in a bipartisan way, is focused on those opportunities.”

“It would be a huge win for America’s Heartland”

The Congressman, who is also the Co-chair of the Biofuels Caucus and serves on the Transportation Infrastructure Committee (along with its Aviation subcommittee), believes that Congress must ensure that the policies set at the federal level foster a suitable environment for biofuels and, increasingly, Sustainable Aviation Fuel.

Currently, SAF accounts for just 3% of all renewable fuel production.

He believes these developments will increase energy independence and generate jobs for rural Americans while meeting an ever-growing need and encouraging a more sustainable future for aviation:

“We have an understanding of what a big opportunity this is for America. It’s too big an opportunity for us to ignore.”

According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), SAF production worldwide is projected to reach 1.9 billion liters (1.5 million tonnes) this year, triple the amount produced in 2023. However, this would still only account for 0.53% of the aviation fuel needed in 2024.

IATA believes that with some incentives and the right policy settings, enough SAF will be available for airlines to meet their 2030 targets.

How will the Caucus help everyday Americans?

The group will lead by providing information, holding forums, and bringing public and private partners together to find the most promising solutions. Its congressional members will further assess the policies, processes, and resources needed to advance sustainability objectives, enhance fuel supply resiliency, and strengthen national security.

In addition to promoting SAF production, the group will also search for other ways to promote sustainability in aviation, such as technological improvements to aircraft and engine technologies that result in more efficient wing, rotor, fuselage, and engine designs, as well as revolutionary innovations like hybrid, electric, and hydrogen-powered aircraft. The group’s other Co-chair, Nebraska’s Sharice Davids, highlighted some of the motivations behind the formation of the group:

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Future challenges and opportunities that await sustainable aviation, such as fuel production, workforce, and regulatory structures.

Numerous operators have raised issues with the price of sustainable fuels.

The group is already attracting attention on Capitol Hill as other lawmakers look to meet their constituents’ needs while promoting a cleaner future. Speaking exclusively to Simple Flying, Representative Mike Flood of Nebraska explained why the new caucus is so imperative:

“Widespread adoption of SAFs won’t happen accidentally. It will take vision from policymakers at the federal, state, and local levels to cut red tape.

“It’s going to require continued investment from the private sector. Nebraska is the second largest ethanol-producing state, and Nebraska is positioned to deliver the SAF that airlines will need to power their aircraft.

A related area the group is examining is energy independence. SAF can be developed without relying on foreign sources of energy or minerals, which not only supports jobs in small and mid-sized communities but also produces high-quality distillers’ grains for local cattle and pork industries as a coproduct.

Airlines must establish SAF policies around procurement and use.

However, Sustainable Aviation Fuel alone is insufficient to meet internationally recognized decarbonization targets. Accordingly, the group will also look for ways to ensure legislation and policies are in place to develop complementary technologies such as carbon sequestration. READ MORE

Excerpt from Climbing. Fast.:

The caucus has been founded by Senators Jerry Moran (R-KS), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), John Boozman (R-AR), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN). Sens. Moran and Duckworth will serve as caucus chairs.

“CLIMBING. FAST. applauds Senators Moran, Duckworth, Boozman and Klobuchar for forming this important caucus in support of the sector’s goal to reach net-zero carbon emissions. We appreciate their bipartisan leadership on policies to foster aviation sustainability innovation, on the ground and in the air,” the campaign’s organization partners said in a joint statement.

The formation of the new Senate caucus comes as the industry works to expand access to sustainable aviation fuel, promote innovation and certify emerging technologies to reduce emissions.

The House established a similar caucus in June, also welcomed by CLIMBING. FAST. stakeholders. Together, the two caucuses underscore the value of government-industry partnerships and a shared commitment to sustainability.

The CLIMBING. FAST. advocacy campaign, an international initiative supported by 13 leading aviation organizations, educates policymakers and opinion leaders about business aviation’s many societal benefits, including its leadership role in sustainability, underscored by a sharp focus on achieving net-zero carbon emissions from flight in the years to come.

CLIMBING. FAST. organization partners include the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Aircraft Electronics Association, Alpha Eta Rho Aviation fraternity, European Business Aviation Association, Experimental Aircraft Association, General Aviation Manufacturers Association, International Aircraft Dealers Association, International Business Aviation Council, National Aircraft Finance Association, National Air Transportation Association, National Business Aviation Association, Vertical Aviation International and Women in Corporate Aviation. READ MORE