Budzinski Bill Could Increase Aviation Fuel Production

Jul. 27—MADISON — Green Plains, Inc., which owns an ethanol plant in Madison, is backing the Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) Accuracy Act of 2023 introduced by U.S. Reps. Nikki Budzinski, D- Springfield, and Mike Flood, R- NE.

The bill would support increased use of homegrown sustainable fuels in the aviation industry and update regulations at the Federal Aviation Administration to clarify the standards required to meet the definition of sustainable aviation fuel.

"Expanding our use of sustainable aviation fuel is an opportunity to cut harmful emissions, support family farmers and reduce our reliance on foreign energy sources," said Budzinski.

Opened in 2010, Green Plains' ethanol facility employs more than 50 people and produces 90 million gallons of ethanol a year. The facility sits on 79 acres of land on Bissell Street in Madison.

"Farmers and biofuels producers continue to innovate and decarbonize, and it is imperative that we use the latest and best life cycle modeling to recognize progress already made while properly incentivizing continued innovation at both the farm and biorefinery," said Green Plains Inc. President and CEO Todd Becker. "American agriculture has a critical role to play in producing new fuels like SAF, and Green Plains is grateful for the efforts of Congresswoman Budzinski and Congressman Flood to ensure that we are a part of that future."

The legislation would require the federal government to use the most up-to-date lifecycle emissions models — including the U.S. Department of Energy commissioned, Argonne National Lab's Greenhouse Gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy Use in Technologies Model or GREET model — that accurately considers crops, land uses and carbon reduction practices in the U.S and does not arbitrarily prevent American farmers and crops from contributing to the green economy.

The legislation also is supported by the Clean Fuels Alliance of America, the American Soybean Association, the National Corn Growers Association, the Renewable Fuels Association, Gevo, LanzaJet and United Airlines. Senate companion legislation is led by U.S. Sens Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA).

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