In Case You Missed It: President of the Kansas State Grange Roger Bostwick wrote a letter to the editor applauding former Senator and senior Americans for Aviation Fuels (ACAF) advisor Pat Roberts’ (R-KS) comments in his recent op-ed for the Wichita Eagle. Bostwick echoed Roberts’ view that sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) present vast economic opportunities for America. He called for stronger policies to boost SAF production, agreeing with Roberts that SAF is a “game changer” that will support farmers and drive jobs with the right long-term policy framework in place. 

“Roberts touches on the inclusion of SAF tax credits in the Inflation Reduction Act as a catalyst for initial investment but caveats that these tax credits are short-term. This underscores an important reminder as policymakers consider the way forward: to reach our climate goals, they must prioritize a long-term SAF policy framework,” Bostwick writes. “It is critical that federal and state lawmakers do not ignore this opportunity to expand access to clean fuels, which will subsequently support American farmers and create jobs.”

ROBERTS IS RIGHT

By Roger Bostwick

July 30, 2024

Wichita Eagle

Former Kansas Sen. Pat Roberts’ recent opinion piece (Sustainable Aviation Fuel could help clear the air, former Kansas senator says, July 15) rightfully describes sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) as a “game changer” and calls upon federal and state lawmakers to take action in expanding access.

SAF is one of the most effective climate solutions on the table today, and policymakers on both sides of the aisle recognize its promise.

It will play a critical role in achieving aviation’s bold commitment to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Accordingly, the aviation sector is accelerating investments in SAF engineering, manufacturing, and airport infrastructure.

As a former United States senator and representative for the Sunflower State, Roberts understands the role lawmakers can play in supporting aviation’s path to net zero and scaling up production of the SAF market.

Roberts touches on the inclusion of SAF tax credits in the Inflation Reduction Act as a catalyst for initial investment but caveats that these tax credits are short-term.

This underscores an important reminder as policymakers consider the way forward: to reach our climate goals, they must prioritize a long-term SAF policy framework.

State-specific policies are being implemented across the country — from California to Nebraska to Illinois — incentivizing the agriculture and aviation industries to invest in this growing market.

But we can’t stop there.

It is critical that federal and state lawmakers do not ignore this opportunity to expand access to clean fuels, which will subsequently support American farmers and create jobs.

Roger Bostwick is the president of the Kansas State Grange, which is the oldest agricultural advocacy organization in the state.