How U.S. Leadership Can Bolster Energy Security Through Sustainable Aviation Fuel
Alison Graab
Executive Director
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The SAF Coalition
As the new administration moves full steam ahead on its renewed energy policy, America is uniquely positioned to seize several innovative opportunities to further our energy production. Among these, Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) stands out as a key pathway to bolster America’s leadership in groundbreaking energy solutions.
America is well positioned to be a global leader on SAF, leveraging our country’s agricultural abundance, bioenergy expertise and entrepreneurial spirit to create an alternative jet fuel. It offers unparalleled opportunities to strengthen our energy security and bolster rural economies. SAF provides new markets for American agriculture and landowners, transforming crops, waste, and biomass into high-value fuel. It drives investment in cutting-edge energy production facilities, creating jobs in rural communities and revitalizing local economies.
While current federal policies have encouraged increased domestic SAF production and adoption in recent years, the new Congress and Administration have a significant opportunity to accelerate SAF production in the U.S. by enacting forward-looking policies that provide greater certainty to the industry. With the extension and enhancement of incentives, the U.S. can unleash the power of American energy, agriculture, and innovation—ensuring our leadership in this critical industry while advancing energy independence and economic growth.
The Administration and Congress can act now to strengthen America’s leadership in SAF by addressing three key areas:
Stimulating Private Investment: Extending and improving tax credits for SAF production is essential. Investors and energy producers need long-term policy certainty to commit to building facilities and scaling operations. Strengthening these incentives will send a clear signal that the U.S. is committed to scaling SAF.
Embracing All Feedstocks: American innovators have developed ways to produce SAF from diverse sources, including crops, waste, biomass, captured gases, and cooking oil. Federal policy must adopt an “all of the above” approach, incentivizing the use of all feedstocks to maximize production potential.
Cutting Red Tape: Streamlining permitting processes and providing clear regulatory guidance can accelerate SAF production. The federal government must ensure that regulations encourage innovation, not stifle it.
One of the most promising aspects of SAF policy in the U.S. is its bipartisan and bicameral support. Lawmakers across the political spectrum recognize the value of SAF for America’s energy and economic future. This alignment offers a rare opportunity to enact meaningful reforms that benefit everyone—from farmers and fuel producers to airlines and rural communities.
The Trump Administration often emphasizes “energy dominance” and SAF is a natural extension of this vision, allowing the U.S. to lead the world in producing and exporting SAF. With the right policies, we can harness our agricultural strength, innovative spirit, and entrepreneurial drive to secure America’s place at the forefront of this rapidly evolving industry.
As a coalition representing the entirety of the SAF value chain, we’re actively working with leaders to seize this opportunity to secure America’s leadership in SAF and build a more prosperous future.
To learn more about The SAF Coalition, visit TheSAFCoalition.com