The Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Initiative is the result of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and other federal government agencies working together to develop a comprehensive strategy for scaling up new technologies to increase the production of affordable, domestically produced SAF, create more export opportunities and fuel choices, support American farmers, and lower energy costs. Discover the latest resources or tools to help learn about the SAF Initiative and SAFs.
Related Resources
ASCENT – The Aviation Sustainability Center
ASCENT is a cooperative aviation research organization co-led by Washington State University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. ASCENT is funded by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the U.S. Department of Defense, Transport Canada, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The mission of ASCENT includes exploring ways to produce SAF at a commercial scale, creating an industry with the potential for large-scale economic development and job creation.
Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative (CAAFI)
CAAFI is a coalition of airlines, aircraft and engine manufacturers, energy producers, researchers, international participants, and U.S. government agencies working together for the development and deployment of alternative jet fuels for commercial aviation. CAAFI is supported in part by the FAA Office of Environment and Energy.
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Sustainable Aviation Fuel Grand Challenge
Signed by the DOE, DOT, and USDA department secretaries in conjunction with the EPA, this MOU launched the government-wide SAF Grand Challenge.
USDA AFRI SAS Coordinated Agricultural Projects
The USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture AFRI SAS program area funds $10 million Coordinated Agricultural Projects to develop new or improved approaches for the production of bioenergy, including SAF. Several regional bioenergy projects have developed feedstocks, such as intermediate oilseed crops, which can be used for SAF production. These projects take systematic approaches to address regional biomass feedstock production, logistics, conversion technologies, and the analysis of impacts on agriculture and forestry markets, rural communities, and ecosystems.
Related Tools
DOE Alternative Fuels Data Center
The Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC) provides information, data, and tools to help fleets and other transportation decision makers find ways to reach their energy and economic goals using alternative and renewable fuels, advanced vehicles, and other fuel-saving measures. AFDC provides an overview of SAF production pathways.
Freight and Fuel Transportation Optimization Tool (FTOT)
This tool developed by the DOT Volpe Center is designed to analyze the transportation needs and constraints associated with fuel and raw material collection, processing, and distribution in the continental United States. FTOT can be used to explore SAF production and supply chain scenarios and how feedstock supplies can flow optimally over the transportation network.