On January 13, 2025, DOE, USDA, and DOT’s FAA released the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Grand Challenge 2021-2024 Progress Report, highlighting developments in the road towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50%, producing 3 billion gallons of SAF by 2030 and meeting domestic aviation fuel demand by 2050. Included in DOE’s announcement was information on FAA announcing $249 million in awards to “advance the deployment of SAF” through the Fueling Aviation’s Sustainable Transition (FAST) program.
FAA’s awards are funded by IRA section 40007 appropriating $297 million to DOT to advance domestic SAF production, transportation and storage. Federal spending for project grants usually amounts to 75% of the total project cost (90% for small hub or non-hub airports). Section 40007 funds are available until September 30, 2026.