Trade Group, Plane Maker Say The Plan Will Help Industry And American Farmers

The Air Transport Association of America (ATA), and Boeing both were quick to get behind an agreement announced Thursday between the FAA and the USDA. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said the program for biofuels will put the U.S. on a sound path to greatly enhance the nation's independence from foreign oil sources and reduce carbon emissions.

"ATA and its member airlines, in close collaboration with USDA, the Boeing Company, the Department of Defense and the Federal Aviation Administration are working hard to procure and deploy environmentally preferred, economically viable, domestically produced jet fuel; this includes through long-term purchase agreements," said ATA President and CEO James C. May. "These new and enhanced USDA programs will accelerate production of renewable aviation fuels by U.S. farmers.

"After formally launching the 'Farm to Fly' initiative just three months ago, Secretary Vilsack has taken a leadership role in this significant endeavor for aviation and for rural America," said May. "Secretary Vilsack's announced programs will provide investors, farmers, bankers and U.S. energy companies with the confidence to invest in these proven, green technologies."

"Today's (Thursday's) announcement is welcome news for the commercial aviation industry, which sees sustainable biofuels as a key element of its plan to lower its carbon emissions," Boeing Vice President for Environment and Aviation Policy, Billy M Glover said in a statement following the announcement. "Through test flights with a number of our customers, we have proven that fuels made from plant matter and algae can power jet aircraft safely and efficiently, and we look forward in the months ahead to the approval of these fuels for commercial use. The challenge then will be to prime the production pump, and bring biofuels to an attractive price point for airlines. Boeing is currently working with the USDA and the Air Transport Association on the Farm-to-Fly initiative, which seeks to encourage the production of sustainable aviation biofuels through U.S. agricultural policy. The USDA-FAA partnership will further help in that regard. We applaud their efforts and look forward to working with them to commercialize biofuels that can help the aviation industry meet its aggressive carbon reduction goals."

FMI: www.airlines.org, www.boeing.com