Members of the United States House of Representatives have come together to form a bipartisan group to reduce the aviation industry’s environmental impact. The Congressional Sustainable Aviation Caucus will join existing groups like the Aerospace, Air Cargo, Advanced Air Mobility, and General Aviation Caucuses, as US lawmakers take a more active role in the nation’s aerospace industry.
What will it do?
The Congressional Sustainable Aviation Caucus (CSAC) is co-chaired by Representative Sharice Davids, a Democrat from Kansas, and Republican Dusty Johnson, the sole Representative from the State of South Dakota. 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:
“I am proud to announce the formation of the Congressional Sustainable Aviation Caucus, which will bring together a wide variety of aviation leaders and policymakers to help reduce the aviation industry’s impact on the environment and ensure its long-term economic viability.
“Adopting these sustainable practices is critical for our national security and economic resilience. I’m glad to join forces with Representative Johnson to ensure America’s aviation industry continues to be resilient and reliable for years to come.”
Congressional Sustainable Aviation Caucus
According to the group, the next steps involve building out the membership in a strong bipartisan way, ensuring congressional staff and members understand the opportunity, and coming together to figure out what policy changes might help accomplish what needs to be done.
How will it help?
In addition to sending periodic informational updates, the CSAC will hold frequent briefings for member offices that will cover:
Insights from local, state, and federal government stakeholders, as well as industry and nonprofit stakeholders, about current efforts to form an environmentally and economically sustainable aviation future;
New developments in the sustainable aviation space, such as advancements in energy, aerospace, technology, and modal shifts;
Implementation of existing technologies into domestic and international aviation;
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.
https://simpleflying.com/us-representatives-establish-congressional-sustainable-aviation-caucus