In Washington, D.C. on June 14, 2023, U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson, a Republican from South Dakota, addressed the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. An image courtesy of Rep. Johnson’s office captures the moment.
A congressional caucus centered on sustainable aviation fuel has been established by South Dakota’s only U.S. representative in collaboration with a Kansas Democrat.
In a press release on Monday, Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-South Dakota, revealed the establishment of the Congressional Sustainable Aviation Caucus. He highlighted the importance of Congress prioritizing legislation that encourages innovation in biofuels, enhances national security, and promotes passenger safety.
Johnson will be joined by Rep. Sharice Davids, a Democrat from Kansas, who will serve as co-chair of the caucus.
According to a press release, Davids emphasized the importance of implementing sustainable practices for national security and economic stability. She expressed her satisfaction in collaborating with Representative Johnson to ensure the aviation industry in America remains dependable and robust for the foreseeable future.
It’s possible that South Dakota could play a significant role in the development of a sustainable aviation fuel industry. While this type of fuel currently makes up only a small portion of the aviation fuel used in the United States, there are new companies and projects emerging thanks to federal financial incentives. For instance, current subsidies offer $1.25 for every gallon of sustainable aviation fuel mixed into traditional jet fuel. To qualify, the fuel must reduce greenhouse gas emissions throughout its life cycle by at least 50%, with producers eligible for an additional cent in subsidies for each percentage point drop beyond that.
Gevo, a company headquartered in Colorado, is planning to establish its Net-Zero 1 sustainable aviation fuel plant in the vicinity of Lake Preston, South Dakota. Despite announcing the billion-dollar project in 2022, the construction phase has not yet commenced.
The company’s objective is to manufacture corn-based ethanol and transform it into sustainable aviation fuel to reduce its carbon footprint. To achieve this goal, the company plans to adopt low-carbon farming practices by partnering with corn farmers while concurrently sequestering carbon emissions generated in the production process.
During the Net-Zero 1 groundbreaking, Lt. Gov. Larry Rhoden made an appearance. In her 2023 State of the State speech, Gov. Kristi Noem praised the project, and Kyle Peters, who happens to be Noem’s son-in-law, is a lobbyist for the company.
According to Gevo CEO Patrick Gruber, the success of the project relies heavily on the Summit Carbon Solutions initiative, which involves capturing carbon dioxide emissions from ethanol plants. The emissions will then be transported through underground pipes to North Dakota for sequestration.
Gruber emphasized the importance of connecting the Net-Zero 1 facility to the carbon pipeline in order to enhance the company’s carbon reduction score and ensure its economic viability.
Property rights activists are up in arms over the pipeline proposal, which has resulted in the primary election defeat of 14 legislative incumbents, some of whom were anti-pipeline candidates. Meanwhile, ethanol lobbyists view carbon sequestration as a crucial aspect of the industry’s future and a significant economic force in South Dakota and other Midwestern states.
In Johnson’s press release, the airline industry lobbyist praised the establishment of the sustainable aviation fuel caucus based in Washington, D.C.
According to Paul Feldman, the Vice President of Government Affairs at General Aviation Manufacturers Association, the industry is dedicated to reducing its impact on the environment through advancements in technology and operations and by using sustainable aviation fuel.
Johnson’s office has announced the formation of a new caucus that will play a vital role in keeping voters and other congressional leaders updated on the initiatives aimed at promoting the production of sustainable aviation fuels. The caucus aims to support the adoption of environmentally friendly aviation fuels, which will not only enhance the resilience of fuel supply but also contribute to significant environmental gains and strengthen national security.