US airlines are collaborating with farmers to advocate for corn ethanol as a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
Environmentalists have concerns about using corn ethanol due to potential land clearing for fuel crops.
The Biden administration is divided on the issue and will soon make a decision regarding subsidies.
Airlines are pushing for corn ethanol to be incorporated into the fuel mix to achieve net zero emissions goals.
Current SAF is mainly produced from cooking oil or animal fats, leading airlines to explore corn ethanol as an alternative.
To achieve net zero emissions, more than 100 billion gallons of SAF would need to be produced annually by 2050.
IATA estimated SAF could account for 65% of emissions mitigation, requiring production capacity of 119 billion gallons annually by 2050.
United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, farm groups, oil companies, and biofuel refiners are urging tax officials to support corn ethanol as SAF.
Disagreement between farmers and environmentalists on land use for fuel crops.
SAF producers must prove 50% less greenhouse gas emissions compared to petroleum fuel for tax credits.
The Biden administration aims for 3 billion gallons of SAF per year by 2030 to reach 2050 goals.
A decision on the model for SAF usage will determine subsidies allocation, expected to be announced by next month.
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