$600 Million To Be Doled Out By DOE For Biofuel Projects

The FAA said Wednesday it welcomes the announcement by Secretary of Energy Steven Chu and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack of more than $600 million in awards to advanced biofuel projects. At least four grant recipients are working on technologies to produce fuels including renewable jet fuels. A number of the awardees also have a long standing relationship with the FAA co-sponsored Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative (CAAFI) which coordinates public and private sector efforts to develop sustainable alternative jet fuels to help the aviation sector address energy and climate change challenges.

“Renewable jet fuels are critical to building the cleaner, more sustainable Next Generation commercial aviation system in the United States,” said Nancy LoBue, FAA Acting Assistant Administrator for Aviation Policy, Planning and Environment. “This Administration is committed to establishing domestic renewable jet fuel production, address energy security, improve the environment and also create jobs in rural America.”

CAAFI seeks to enhance energy resources and environmental sustainability for aviation through alternative jet fuels.  The initiative is a coalition of the U.S. commercial aviation community that acts as a focal point for engaging the emerging alternative fuels industry.  It enables its diverse stakeholders to build relationships, share and collect needed data, identify resources, and direct research, development and deployment of alternative fuels.

CAAFI’s sponsors include the FAA office of Environment and Energy and three trade associations:  Airports Council International of North America (ACI-NA) representing commercial airports, the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) representing U.S. manufacturers, and the Air Transport Association representing U.S. airlines.  CAAFI stakeholders are drawn from all elements of the international commercial aviation industry, fuel suppliers, universities, and multiple U.S. government agencies.

FMI: www.faa.gov/news/fact_sheets/news_story.cfm?newsId=10112