USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack has been advocating for a policy that would allow corn-based ethanol to qualify as a feedstock for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) credits. While details are expected to be revealed on Friday, Vilsack during a Wednesday Senate Ag Committee hearing did not provide concrete assurances to lawmakers regarding USDA’s success in making its case. He emphasized USDA’s role in advocating for a rule that permits various feedstocks, including traditional ones used for biofuels, to qualify for tax credits and incentives, making it financially feasible to use ethanol, for example. Additionally, USDA aims to provide scientific data on feedstock availability, supply chain logistics and strategies for accelerating adoption and commercialization. Vilsack mentioned the agency’s advocacy for using the GREET model developed by the Department of Energy to enable ethanol to qualify for credits as an SAF feedstock.
Regarding another ethanol issue, Vilsack assured lawmakers EPA would issue emergency waivers for year-round sales of E15 ethanol fuel, as it did in 2022 and 2023.
