Aviation Biofuels Development Initiatives
From creating jobs and securing America’s energy future, MASBI is focusing on innovation as a driver of economic and sustainable development.
Several key initiatives provide a strong foundation for MASBI, including the following highlighted programs:
- Farm to Fly: In July 2010, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Airlines for America, Inc. (A4A), and the Boeing Company (Boeing) signed a resolution formalizing their commitment to work together on the “FARM to FLY” initiative. The FARM to FLY program will “accelerate the availability of a commercially viable and sustainable aviation biofuel industry in the United States, increase domestic energy security, establish regional supply chains, and support rural development.” Through this initiative, USDA has programs and funding available to advance feedstock development.
- Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative (CAAFI): The Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative (CAAFI) seeks to enhance energy security and environmental sustainability for aviation through alternative jet fuels. CAAFI is a coalition that focuses the efforts of commercial aviation to engage the emerging alternative fuels industry. It enables its diverse participants – representing all the leading stakeholders in the field of aviation – to build relationships, share and collect data, identify resources, and direct research, development and deployment of alternative jet fuels.
- Defense Production Act Funding: The Department of Agriculture, Department of Navy, and the Department of Energy have committed to fund $510 million to assist the development and commercialization of a sustainable industry for aviation and marine biofuels, and to foster mutual cooperation among the federal agencies and across the public and private sectors.
