USDA redirects farm programs to subsidize aviation fuel startups
S. 144 — Farm to Fly Act of 2025 · Filed by Jerry Moran (R-KS) · 5 cosponsors · Introduced Jan 16, 2025 · Referred to committee
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What it does
The Farm to Fly Act of 2025 amends existing USDA bioenergy programs to include sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) as an eligible feedstock and product. It directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a cross-agency initiative to develop SAF production, expand farmer participation in the SAF supply chain, and support rural economic development through aviation fuel partnerships. The bill modifies existing loan and grant programs to explicitly fund biorefinery projects that produce SAF.
Why we flagged it
The bill functions as a targeted subsidy mechanism that redirects existing USDA loan and grant programs to favor sustainable aviation fuel production. While framed as climate and rural development policy, it primarily expands federal financial support for a specific emerging industry sector.
What the text implies
- The bill's definition of 'sustainable aviation fuel' relies on ASTM standards and ICAO/GREET model certifications, creating regulatory gatekeeping power that may favor large producers with compliance infrastructure over small farmers.
- By amending Section 9003 of the 2002 Farm Bill, the legislation quietly redirects existing biorefinery loan/grant programs toward SAF without explicit appropriations, potentially crowding out other bioenergy projects (biodiesel, biogas, ethanol).
The full analysis lists 5 implications of this text.
Who stands to gain
agricultural corporations and large-scale feedstock producers; biorefinery operators and aviation fuel manufacturers; agricultural equipment and technology suppliers