BIO applauds your leadership in the development and introduction of the Sustainable Skies Act, a blender’s tax credit (BTC) to incentivize the production and use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). To meet the challenge of climate change, it is crucial to lead with science and U.S. innovation. Because of biotech innovations, the production of biofuels is becoming more efficient and environmentally sustainable. These technological breakthroughs have led to the development of SAF derived from renewable biomass and waste byproducts, which can reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80 percent compared to conventional jet fuel. By supporting policies that advance pioneering technology breakthroughs we can return our Nation and the world to health and prosperity. BIO is committed to working with Congress to address the climate crisis and advance legislation, such as the Sustainable Skies Act that catalyzes resilient and sustainable biobased economies.

As fuel producers and organizations committed to the development of a robust sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) industry to help decarbonize the aviation industry with drop-in, low-carbon replacements for conventional aviation fuels, we write to express our strong support for the Sustainable Skies Act. The legislation will send a needed long-term investment signal to help scale the SAF industry, will address existing policy disincentives currently limiting SAF deployment and investment, and, most importantly, will meaningfully reduce aviation’s climate and air quality impacts while driving economic growth. We thank Representatives Schneider, Kildee, and Brownley and your staff for the work that went into the development of the SAF BTC, and we stand ready to assist you in making this impactful legislation into law.

As organizations committed to addressing climate change, we are writing to express our strong support for the Sustainable Skies Act. This bill will help increase the production and uptake of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and reduce the aviation sector’s reliance on petroleum-based jet fuel, ensuring real reductions in aviation emissions. We applaud you for introducing this bill and stand ready to assist in whatever way we can to ensure the measure is approved by both chambers of Congress.

The undersigned food, agriculture, and seafood trade associations respectfully urge the expeditious nomination of the Chief Agricultural Negotiator at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. America’s farmers, ranchers, processors, exporters and food manufacturers are foundational in the strength of our country – not just in rural areas, but in feeding, fueling and clothing people in America’s cities and around the world. Key to the economic viability of our working farmers and ranchers is a fair income, and key to their income is the need to export approximately 20 percent of overall U.S. agricultural production. Our farmers, ranchers, processors, exporters and food manufacturers are the reason that American agriculture is one of the most export competitive sectors in the United States and the world. The agriculture and food sector is also critical to American jobs and made-in-America production, ranking as one of the largest U.S. manufacturing sectors, and directly supporting nearly 20 million jobs – the equivalent of more than 13 percent of U.S. employment.1 These jobs provide economic opportunity in rural communities but also for workers throughout the supply chain producing and distributing food and agriculture goods across the country. We are also increasingly focused on achieving critical environmental sustainability and climate goals, building on the work our sector has already accomplished and continues to invest in. Because of the pressing importance of improved and expanded market access for U.S. food and agriculture we request that you move swiftly to nominate an individual to serve as the Chief Agricultural Negotiator at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative . The farmers, ranchers, processors, exporters and food manufacturing workers we represent rely on the Chief Agriculture Negotiator to be a vigorous advocate for all U.S. agricultural interests and for the role that well-crafted trade policy can play in opening foreign doors to…