Good Day BIO: Why we need a SAF tax credit + World Immunization Week

Congress is back to work, and there are new calls for a SAF tax credit—here’s why. Plus, it’s World Immunization Week, so we discuss a few recent vaccine successes and why routine vaccinations are important. (556 words, 2 minutes, 46 seconds)

We need a SAF tax credit – here's why

A broad coalition of 77 companies and associations that are stakeholders in the aviation industry (including BIO and member companies: Gevo, LanzaJet, LanzaTech, and Velocys) are reiterating their calls for “a new, long-term, technology- and feedstock-neutral tax incentive for sustainable aviation fuel”—here’s why.

The context: The Biden administration recently announced EPA will end summer restrictions on the sale of E15 as a way to address gas prices resulting from the war in Ukraine. He also renewed the administration's push for SAF tax credits.

And we agree: “[T]he most important action Congress can take to support the decarbonization of the aviation sector is to enact a blender’s tax credit specifically aimed at incentivizing the production and use of SAF,” said the letter to House and Senate leadership, echoing BIO's comments to EPA.

Why SAF? “SAF can reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 80 percent or more compared to fossil jet fuel,” says the coalition letter. “ SAF is widely considered to be the most critical driver of aviation decarbonization, as electrification and other advanced propulsion technologies are currently infeasible for the medium- and long-haul flights that account for the vast majority of aviation’s GHG emissions.”

A SAF tax credit should be part of a number of clean energy incentives,says the Business Roundtable’s new roadmap for U.S. energy policy.

What they’re saying: “A clear commitment to increasing domestic energy production is necessary to preserve our strong economy, on which our transition to a greener future depends,” said Business Roundtable CEO Joshua Bolten. Including enacting clean energy incentives for sustainable aviation fuels. 

Listen: In December, United Airlines flew the first-ever passenger flight powered by 100% SAF, with help from BIO member Virent. On a recent episode of the I am BIO Podcast, we spoke to some of the people behind this historic event and what's next.

3 things to know during World Immunization Week

During World Immunization Week, we celebrate the rapid and successful development of COVID-19 vaccines—but are also reminded of the difficulties of getting people vaccinated, for COVID and many other diseases. Here are three things to know about vaccines.

1. COVID-19 vaccines saved millions of lives and billions of dollars.

The vaccines have already prevented 2 million deaths in the U.S., saving $900 billion in health care costs, said a recent study published by the Commonwealth Fund and Yale University. This is more than double the $407 billion the U.S. spent on all medicines in 2021, according to recent IQVIA data.

2. But the pandemic caused many children to miss routine vaccinations—including 30 million missed doses of the diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP3) vaccine, and 27.2 million missed doses of the measles vaccine in 2020, found a study in The Lancet.

3. The good news is vaccine technology is racing ahead. Moderna recently launched a clinical trial of its mRNA HIV vaccine, accelerated by the success of the company's COVID vaccine. Meanwhile, the HPV vaccine nearly eradicated cervical cancer in some parts of the world, and new data says one dose provides solid protection, allowing doses to reach more people.

More Reading: "mRNA is a game changer," said BIO's Phyllis Arthur

It’s World Immunization Week through April 30—learn more about how this week is raising awareness of the importance of vaccines and driving long life for all.

President Biden’s Monday: Welcoming 2020 and 2021 Stanley Cup champs the Tampa Bay Lightning to the White House.

What’s Happening on Capitol Hill: Back from recess, and COVID-19 is expected to be high on the agenda, per NBC News.