Minneapolis, MN – Chris Bliley, Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs at Growth Energy, an Americans for Clean Aviation Fuels (ACAF) founding member, recently delivered keynote remarks at the 40th annual International Fuel Ethanol Workshop. Bliley highlighted the biofuels industry’s pivotal role in growing the broader American economy and how sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) will be the key to unlocking this growth. ACAF is the first national coalition to bring together diverse members across the full SAF value chain—from farmers, fuel producers and manufacturers, to aviation and agribusiness.

Highlighting the economic impact of SAF on the biofuels industry and the American economy overall, Bliley said: “In the longer-term, our embrace of innovation and the broader bioeconomy can help us find new homes for bioethanol, in places like Sustainable Aviation Fuel. We’re at the beginning of a long-term process when it comes to decarbonizing aviation. But here’s something worth noting: SAF could be a $105-billion market. That would double the size of our entire industry’s contribution to U.S. GDP.”

Bliley also emphasized the bipartisan appeal of growing the U.S. SAF market. “Our industry’s greatest strength is our bipartisan appeal,” Bliley said. “We’re American-made and low-carbon. We support job security for American workers and energy security for American consumers.”

SAF is an environmentally sound alternative to conventional jet fuel, and can help decarbonize the aviation industry by significantly reducing lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, all while benefiting the American economy, farmers and growers, the environment and national security. 

The International Fuel Ethanol Workshop is the world’s largest ethanol event, bringing together key industry leaders and government stakeholders to discuss the future of the biofuels industry. For Bliley’s full remarks, read here.