SAF policy scorecard: Evaluating state-level sustainable aviation fuel policies in the United States

Several states have recently implemented or are considering policies to encourage the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). However, as this analysis highlights, many current state-level SAF policies have shortcomings. As a result, state support may not lead to an increase in the total supply of low-carbon fuel or trigger long-term investments in advanced pathways for producing SAF.

This analysis developed criteria and ranked the strengths and weaknesses of state policies related to three overall goals: long-term decarbonization, sustainability, and equity. As seen in the illustration below, current and proposed SAF polices generally lack provisions to ensure that these goals are all fully met.

Recommendations for improving state SAF policies include the following principles:

• Prioritize low-carbon second-generation pathways for producing SAF.
• Develop policies that provide certainty to investors over longer time frames.
• Establish binding policies to disincentivize the use of fossil jet fuel and drive SAF deployment.

Attachments
[Fact sheet] Making the grade: Ranking state-level SAF policies in the United States

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