Reyhaneh Shenassa, chief engineer, U.S. Department of Energy Bioenergy Technologies Office. / SOURCE: U.S. Department of Energy
December 4, 2023
BY U.S. Department of Energy
The U.S. transportation sector, including cars, trucks, airplanes, ships, and trains, accounts for 34 percent of the nation’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and is a significant driver of climate change. While the commercial aviation industry is an important contributor to the U.S. economy, it is also a considerable source (approximately 2 percent) of domestic GHG emissions.
In an article published in Open Access Government, Reyhaneh Shenassa, chief engineer at the U.S. Department of Energy Bioenergy Technologies Office, explains how U.S. sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) will reduce aviation carbon emissions and details what DOE is achieving to support the Biden-Harris Administration goals to deliver an equitable, clean energy future and economy-wide net-zero emissions by 2050.
To assist in the decarbonization of the aviation industry, the U.S. government has launched several government-wide initiatives, such as the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Grand Challenge to generate at least 3 billion gallons of SAF by 2030, and 35 billion gallons by 2050 – enough to meet 100% of annual U.S. aviation fuel demand. The SAF Grand Challenge Roadmap provides an outline of actions by U.S. government agencies to support stakeholders in realizing the challenge goals. Other initiatives include the Clean Fuels & Products Shot, part of the DOE Energy Earthshots initiative, which supports the development of sustainable feedstocks and conversion technologies to produce crucial fuels and carbon-based products in hard-to-decarbonize sectors, and funding SAF research and development (R&D) through funding opportunities.
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Read the Open Access Government article to learn how BETO is leveraging national laboratory R&D expertise to help build a successful SAF bioeconomy.
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The U.S. Energy Information Administration maintained its forecast for 2025 and 2026 biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production in its latest Short-Term Energy Outlook, released July 8.
XCF Global Inc. on July 10 shared its strategic plan to invest close to $1 billion in developing a network of SAF production facilities, expanding its U.S. footprint, and advancing its international growth strategy.
U.S. fuel ethanol capacity fell slightly in April, while biodiesel and renewable diesel capacity held steady, according to data released by the U.S. EIA on June 30. Feedstock consumption was down when compared to the previous month.
XCF Global Inc. on July 8 provided a production update on its flagship New Rise Reno facility, underscoring that the plant has successfully produced SAF, renewable diesel, and renewable naphtha during its initial ramp-up.
The U.S. EPA on July 8 hosted virtual public hearing to gather input on the agency’s recently released proposed rule to set 2026 and 2027 RFS RVOs. Members of the biofuel industry were among those to offer testimony during the event.