· 2 min read
illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on Reuters or enjoy below:
🗞️ Driving the news: The U.S. initiative to create sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from ethanol is facing delays due to opposition to carbon dioxide (CO2) pipelines essential for reducing ethanol's greenhouse gas emissions
• These pipelines are intended to transport CO2 from ethanol plants to storage sites
🔭 The context: The Biden administration aims to produce significant volumes of SAF by 2030 and 2050
• However, the current production methods for ethanol-based SAF only achieve a 15% reduction in emissions, falling short of the required 50% reduction compared to conventional jet fuel
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Achieving the SAF production goals is crucial for decarbonizing the airline industry and supporting the ethanol and corn farming sectors
• However, public resistance and permitting setbacks for pipeline projects threaten this transition
⏭️ What's next: The ethanol industry urges the adoption of different climate models that assign a lower carbon impact to corn growth
• This approach, combined with renewable energy use and climate-friendly farming, could reduce ethanol's carbon intensity
💬 One quote: "It would take the most effective tool in their arsenal to reduce their emissions off the table." (Nikita Pavlenko, International Council on Clean Transportation)
📈 One stat: The Biden administration's SAF program allocates a $1.25 per gallon production tax credit for SAF producers who can demonstrate a 50% lower emission rate than conventional jet fuel
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