[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 139 (Monday, September 9, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5869-S5870]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                            Farm to Fly Act

  Madam President, I also had the opportunity to see developments in 
our State regarding sustainable aviation fuel, or SAF. SAF has a 
threefold benefit: It provides a cleaner energy supply for the aviation 
industry, it diversifies and bolsters our American energy industry, and 
it provides farmers with new markets to sell their crops or the 
byproducts of their crops.
  Sustainable aviation fuel is a biofuel made from products like corn, 
sorghum, and soybeans that can be used in aircraft and produces fewer 
greenhouse gas emissions than traditional fuels. It is a key component 
of decarbonizing aviation. Most airplanes flown by major airlines today 
are able to use SAF without any modifications to their aircraft, making 
SAF a great alternative to traditional jet fuel.
  Southwest Airlines is making a significant investment in developing 
the technologies and infrastructure to produce SAF by building a plant 
in Kansas that will take corn stover--the stalks, leaves, and cobs 
leftover after harvest--and turning it into ethanol that will be used 
to fuel airplanes.
  Widespread production of SAF will also add a new energy source to our 
Nation's repertoire of energy production. When it comes to energy 
production, I believe in an ``all of the above'' strategy. We need to 
be investing in all energy production--including wind, solar, fossil 
fuels, ethanol, and now SAF.
  To help spur investment in SAF production, I introduced the Farm to 
Fly Act, which would help accelerate the production and development of 
SAF through existing U.S. Department of Agriculture programs.
  Generating this new fuel source would not be possible without our 
producers. Agriculture is a critical industry but also a challenging 
industry. We need to make certain we are providing our farmers with 
every opportunity to sell their crops in a variety of markets.
  To help spur on the development of SAF and other forms of sustainable 
aviation energy, I am launching the Senate Sustainable Aviation Caucus, 
with Senator Boozman and Senator Duckworth as cochairs.
  The purpose of this caucus is simple: advance our Nation's biofuels, 
energy, and aviation industries in an effort to increase domestic 
competitiveness, promote national security, and bolster passenger 
safety. This caucus will work together to find ways to maximize the 
aviation industry's financial sustainability and increase its 
resiliency.
  I come from a State that is known for both its aviation and its 
agriculture, and I love seeing the two come together in this 
circumstance. I encourage my colleagues to join our efforts in seeking 
innovative solutions to

[[Page S5870]]

create a sustainable aviation industry and increase our Nation's 
competitiveness in the domestic production of sustainable aviation 
fuel.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Maryland.