NBAA Advocates for Sustainable Aviation Fuel Policies on Capitol Hill

This article is based on an official press release from the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA).

Business aviation leaders converged on Washington, D.C., to advocate for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) policies and the industry’s goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. According to an official press release from the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), the March 18 “CLIMBING. FAST.” Capitol Hill Fly-In brought together professionals from across the country for a daylong series of meetings with congressional lawmakers and their staff.

The NBAA stated that the event was designed to highlight the industry’s essential role in supporting 1.3 million American jobs and generating nearly $340 billion in economic output. Throughout the fly-in, delegates emphasized the importance of strengthening American energy independence and supporting rural economies through the advancement of clean fuels and sustainable technologies.

Advocating for Sustainable Aviation Fuel Legislation

A primary focus of the Capitol Hill meetings was the scaling of sustainable aviation fuel production. Members of the NBAA’s Environmental Committee urged Congress to advance key bipartisan legislation that would provide long-term incentives for SAF producers.

Specifically, the organization advocated for the Securing America’s Fuels Act (H.R. 6518/S. 3759), which aims to restore the Section 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit for SAF to $1.75 per gallon and extend it through 2033. The committee also pushed for the Farm to Fly Act (H.R. 1719, S. 114), a bill that would designate SAF as an advanced biofuel eligible for support programs under the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

“The reduced tax credit has made it more financially advantageous for producers to make renewable diesel instead of SAF. Restoring the credit to $1.75 is critical to give producers the confidence to continue building production capacity.”

According to the NBAA, business aviation has already reduced its carbon footprint by 40% over the past four decades, with modern aircraft operating approximately 35% more efficiently than previous generations. The association noted that SAF can reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional jet fuel.

Engaging with Congressional Leaders

To push these legislative priorities forward, industry representatives held targeted discussions with key policymakers and committee staff. The NBAA detailed that delegates met with a representative for California’s 40th congressional district, alongside staff members for several prominent lawmakers.

According to the release, the delegation met with staff for House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-6-MN), Sen. Andy Kim (D-NJ), Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-13-FL), Rep. Randy Fine (R-6-FL), Rep. Nancy Mace (R-1-SC), Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-23-FL), Rep. Luz Rivas (D-29-CA), Rep. Dwight Evans (D-3-PA), and Rep. Buddy Carter (R-1-GA).

The committee also focused heavily on the legislative bodies responsible for tax incentives and financial policy. They met with Michael Hawthorne and Grace Enda from the Senate Finance Committee, which is chaired by Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID) and whose ranking member is Sen. Wyden (D-OR). Additionally, discussions were held with Nick O’Boyle and Andrew Grossman from the House Committee on Ways and Means, chaired by Rep. Jason Smith (R-8-MO) and whose ranking member is Rep. Richard Neal (D-1-MA).

“Members of Congress need to hear directly from their constituents about why these priorities matter. Today’s CLIMBING. FAST. fly-in demonstrated that business aviation leaders across every segment of our industry… are united behind policies that would accelerate progress toward net-zero emissions.”

AirPro News analysis

We note that the targeted meetings with the Senate Finance Committee and the House Committee on Ways and Means underscore the aviation industry’s current strategic priority: securing favorable tax frameworks. The push to restore the Section 45Z credit to $1.75 per gallon highlights a significant economic hurdle in the green transition. Without competitive tax incentives, fuel producers naturally gravitate toward more profitable alternatives like renewable diesel, leaving the aviation sector struggling to secure the SAF volumes necessary to meet its 2050 net-zero targets. By mobilizing professionals from across the country, the NBAA is attempting to reframe aviation sustainability not just as an environmental imperative, but as a driver of rural economic growth and domestic energy independence.

FAQ: Business Aviation and Sustainability

What is the CLIMBING. FAST. initiative?

According to the NBAA, CLIMBING. FAST. is a branded, multi-platform industrywide advocacy campaign designed to showcase the societal and economic benefits of business aviation to policymakers, while highlighting the sector’s commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

What is the Securing America’s Fuels Act?

The Securing America’s Fuels Act (H.R. 6518/S. 3759) is bipartisan legislation that would restore the Section 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit for sustainable aviation fuel to $1.75 per gallon and extend the credit through 2033, incentivizing increased production.

Sources: National Business Aviation Association (NBAA)