Delmotte highlights benefits of sustainable aviation fuel for rural communities in the Detroit News

In Case You Missed It: Vice President of the Michigan Corn Growers Association John Delmotte published an op-ed in the Detroit News highlighting the economic benefits of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for Michigan farmers and rural communities. Delmotte draws attention to National Clean Energy Week, taking place this week, as an ideal opportunity to promote SAF and its benefits for Michigan's economy. He also lauds Michigan lawmakers' efforts to boost SAF production in the Wolverine State, positioning it as a clean energy leader. 

"Corn is an abundant and renewable resource grown right here in Michigan and is one of many materials that can be used to create SAF," Delmotte writes. "Corn farmers have steadily increased their yields by utilizing new and improved technology and management practices and are achieving higher production on the same land with fewer inputs each year, resulting in a low carbon feedstock for SAF. SAF could provide a new avenue for farmers to market their crop and give them the opportunity to capitalize on the booming renewable energy industry."

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Delmotte: Producing sustainable aviation fuel can empower rural communities

Detroit News, By John Delmotte

September 22, 2024

Imagine a Michigan where the roar of a jet engine isn't just the sound of departure, but the echo of a farmer's hard work, where fields of corn and soybeans don't just feed the nation — they help it take flight. As the skies above Michigan prepare for a cleaner, greener future, it's our state's farmers who stand poised to lead the charge, transforming the heartland into the launchpad for the next generation of sustainable aviation. 

National Clean Energy Week, which runs from Sept. 23 to 27, is the perfect time to recognize the pivotal role that sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) can play in both reducing our carbon footprint and revitalizing the state's agricultural economy. SAF is a type of fuel made from renewable resources that can be used in place of traditional jet fuel. It produces fewer carbon emissions during its lifecycle, making it a much more environmentally friendly option for powering an aircraft. 

Corn is an abundant and renewable resource grown right here in Michigan and is one of many materials that can be used to create SAF. Corn farmers have steadily increased their yields by utilizing new and improved technology and management practices and are achieving higher production on the same land with fewer inputs each year, resulting in a low carbon feedstock for SAF. SAF could provide a new avenue for farmers to market their crop and give them the opportunity to capitalize on the booming renewable energy industry.

In a state like Michigan, where there are many rural communities, an increased demand for a farmer's crops helps secure a future where farmers, like me, can pass their land down to their children and grandchildren, preserving the legacy of farming. And those benefits lift entire rural communities up — creating new jobs, not just in farming, but in other sectors like construction or manufacturing for the biorefineries needed when converting crops into food and biofuels.

Last November, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed clean energy legislation aimed at making Michigan a leader in the fight against climate change. Now, the Senate Energy and Environment Committee has an opportunity to approve Senate Bill 447, introduced by state Sen. Sam Singh, D-, which supports the adoption of SAF.

Michigan's agricultural industry is responsible for more than $104.7 billion annually of the state's economy and has always been a source of jobs throughout the state. And like most industries, farmers must adapt to the ever-evolving landscape and find new ways to contribute to the state's economy and future.

The production of sustainable aviation fuel can contribute to the agricultural sector by helping farmers create a brand-new stream of revenue and providing economic stability for rural communities.

John Delmotte is vice president of the Michigan Corn Growers Association.