Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., and a bipartisan groups of colleagues on Jan. 16 reintroduced the Farm to Fly Act, a bill that aims to accelerate the production and development of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). 

Previous versions of the Farm to Fly Act were introduced in the U.S. Senate in early 2024 and in the U.S. House of Representatives in late 2023. Provisions of the legislation were also included in a stalled version of the 2024 Farm Bill. 

Following its introduction, the current version of the bill was referred to the Seante Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry. Current co-sponsors of the legislation include Sens. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa; Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill.; Pete Ricketts, R-Neb.; Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn.; and Joni Ernst, R-Iowa.

The Farm to Fly Act aims to clarify SAF eligibility in the USDA’s bioenergy programs to expand markets for American agriculture crops in aviation bioenergy. It would also encourage greater collaboration on aviation biofuels throughout USDA agency mission areas to drive private sector partnerships and require USDA to adopt a common definition of SAF to ensure American crops effectively contribute to aviation renewable fuels. 

Numerous biofuel and ag groups have spoken out in support of the legislation, including the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Coalition, Growth Energy, and the Renewable Fuels Association. 

“The Farm to Fly Act is a meaningful step forward in harnessing the full potential of American agriculture to advance sustainable aviation fuel,” said Alison Graab, executive director of the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Coalition. “By helping to expand markets for U.S. farmers, this legislation not only strengthens our nation’s energy dominance but also uplifts rural communities across the country. We are grateful to Senator Moran for his continued leadership in creating and supporting solutions to advance SAF.”

"The Farm to Fly Act is even more important now than it was in the last Congress, as the entire rural economy is currently facing a period of significant financial strain," said Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy. "Creating new opportunities to increase farm income must be a priority for the incoming Congress, and this bill would be a great start. We commend Senator Moran for reintroducing this important legislation, and encourage every lawmaker who cares about America's farm economy to support it."

“RFA supports the Farm to Fly Act, and we appreciate these senators working together across the aisle to move forward this important legislation that creates more clarity and stability around the development of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) made from U.S. crops,” said Geoff Cooper, president and CEO of the RFA. “This bill would be critical in helping position SAF for takeoff by ensuring the best available science and modeling tools are used to calculate the carbon benefits of homegrown renewable fuels.”