- United Airlines will become the first to use Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) at Chicago O’Hare International Airport, starting this month with one million gallons of SAF.
- Governor J.B. Pritzker highlighted Illinois’s role in sustainability, supported by a new SAF tax credit. This initiative aims to position the state as a leader in clean energy and reduce aviation carbon emissions.
- SAF, produced from corn-based ethanol, can cut carbon emissions by over 50% compared to traditional jet fuel. The initiative is expected to boost rural economies and support domestic agriculture, with Illinois offering a $1.50 SAF tax credit until December 31, 2032.
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and United Airlines have highlighted the role of corn farmers and the ethanol industry in reducing the aviation sector’s carbon footprint.
Today, August 13, United Airlines announced it will be the first to use Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) at Chicago O’Hare International Airport. The airline will receive one million gallons of SAF this month.
Governor Pritzker emphasised Illinois’s commitment to clean energy and sustainability. “From day one, I have aimed to make Illinois a leader in these fields,” Pritzker said. He noted his support for a significant SAF tax credit passed last year. “Our state’s position and airport network fit perfectly with United’s sustainability goals and our aim for zero emissions.”
United Airlines has committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. A key part of this strategy is using SAF, which is made from corn-derived ethanol. SAF is chemically identical to traditional jet fuel and can cut carbon emissions by over 50% compared to conventional fuels.
Dave Rylander, a farmer from Victoria and President of the Illinois Corn Growers Association, praised the initiative. “The SAF market will reduce carbon emissions and could boost rural America’s economy,” Rylander said. He highlighted how the ethanol-to-jet process allows corn to be used as a low-carbon feedstock for SAF production.
Illinois is poised to lead in SAF production, being the first state to offer a $1.50 SAF purchaser tax credit. This credit, available until December 31, 2032, has seen its first application by United Airlines in Illinois.
US Senator Tammy Duckworth, a proponent of biofuels and SAF, also expressed support. “I am pleased to see United Airlines adopting SAF at O’Hare,” Duckworth said. “Expanding SAF supply is crucial for making American aviation more sustainable. I will continue to push for more SAF use, supporting domestic farmers and reducing our carbon footprint.”