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MSGA Blog

Sen. Klobuchar reintroduces Farm to Fly Act

Sen. Amy Klobuchar joined colleagues Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.) and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) in reintroducing legislation that would help accelerate the production and development of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) through existing USDA programs to allow further growth for alternative fuels to be used in the aviation sector and create new markets for American farmers.

The Farm to Fly Act would use current USDA programs to support the development of SAF, clarify federal definitions for SAF and enable greater collaboration between USDA and the private sector. In September 2024, Sens. Klobuchar, Moran, Duckworth and John Boozman (R-Ark.) launched the Sustainable Aviation Caucus to promote the longevity of the aviation and renewable fuels industries.

“Alternative energies like sustainable aviation fuel create jobs in rural areas, bolster our national security, and reduce carbon emissions from air travel,” Sen. Klobuchar said. “This bipartisan bill with Senators Moran and Ernst will be another step forward in securing new markets for domestically produced biofuel.”

The Farm to Fly Act would:

  • Clarify eligibility for SAF within current USDA Bio-Energy Programs, expanding markets for American agricultural crops through aviation bioenergy
  • Provide for greater collaboration for aviation biofuels throughout USDA agency mission areas, increasing private sector partnerships; and
  • Affirm a common definition of SAF for USDA purposes, as widely supported by industry to enable U.S. crops to most effectively contribute to aviation renewable fuels.
    This legislation is also supported by aviation, agriculture and energy leaders.

This legislation is also supported by a number of agriculture, aviation and energy groups, including the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association (MSGA).

“We are fortunate in Minnesota to have so many in our delegation promoting new markets in agriculture by supporting biofuels and the growing Sustainable Aviation Fuel market,” said Darin Johnson, president of MSGA. “We appreciate Sen. Klobuchar and her colleagues for their leadership.

Klobuchar, the Democratic ranking member of the Senate Ag Committee, spoke about her longstanding support of biofuels during MSGA’s annual meeting at MN Ag Expo and her bipartisan policy goals in the year ahead.

“I’m going to work with the new administration on 45Z guidance to ensure Minnesota producers have access to this critical market,” Klobuchar said. “Together we’ve gotten a lot done on biofuels, and we need to keep that momentum going.”

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