How airlines are working to create sustainable fuel to reduce aviation’s carbon footprint

Miles O’Brien:

Globally, sustainable aviation fuel production will likely reach nearly a half-billion gallons in 2024, a six-fold increase since 2022, and yet still only one-half of 1 percent of the 99 billion gallon annual burn rate for jet fuel.

In 2021, the Biden administration launched a sustainable aviation fuel grand challenge. The goal is to produce 35 billion gallons of SAF in the U.S. by 2050. But to get there, grease is not the only word.

Jerry Tuskan, Department of Energy Director, Center for Bioenergy Innovation at Oak Ridge National Laboratory: There won’t be a silver bullet. There won’t be one commodity that will satisfy the 35 billion gallon target.