Overview
Title
To amend the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 with respect to the definition of biofuels and sustainable aviation fuel, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
The bill wants to change a law so that airplane fuel can be made from plants, just like some car fuels, to help the planet and farmers. It also asks the government to team up with people who grow food to make this new fuel more common.
Summary AI
S. 144 aims to update the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 by redefining biofuels to include sustainable aviation fuels. The bill seeks to support the production and access to these fuels, emphasizing their benefits for energy security, agriculture, and the environment. It outlines specific criteria for what qualifies as sustainable aviation fuel and directs the Department of Agriculture to collaborate with various stakeholders to enhance the development and commercialization of these fuels. It also encourages partnerships with farmers and rural communities to leverage economic opportunities in the emerging sustainable aviation fuels market.
Published
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Bill Statistics
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Complexity
AnalysisAI
General Summary of the Bill
The proposed legislation, titled the "Farm to Fly Act of 2025," aims to amend the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to incorporate sustainable aviation fuels within its scope. The bill's primary focus is to support the integration and use of these fuels in aviation, emphasizing their role in achieving greater energy security, promoting clean energy, and expanding markets for U.S. agriculture. The text details the various definitions and standards for what qualifies as sustainable aviation fuel and outlines initiatives for collaboration and support within the agricultural sector.
Summary of Significant Issues
One of the key issues identified is the lack of specific budgetary allocations or explicit funding mechanisms, especially concerning the Farm to Fly collaboration initiative. This absence of detailed financial planning could lead to unanticipated expenses or risk wasteful spending. Additionally, the bill employs complex and specialized language, particularly in its definitions, which necessitates a high level of technical knowledge and cross-referencing of other legal documents, potentially hindering easy understanding and implementation.
The text also occasionally uses broad and vague terminology, such as "maximizing effectiveness" and "improved sustainability." Without clear and specific criteria or metrics, evaluating the success of the initiatives might prove challenging. Moreover, the bill does not address potential environmental impacts or introduce necessary regulatory measures, which is particularly important given its focus on sustainability.
Impact on the Public
Broadly, the bill's emphasis on sustainable aviation fuels could contribute positively to national energy security by encouraging the development of new energy resources. This shift might lead to economic growth within the aviation and agricultural sectors and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions linked to aviation.
However, the lack of a clear funding strategy and oversight measures could pose a risk of inefficient spending, which might necessitate increased public funding or divert focus from other critical priorities. The complexity in understanding the bill's full implications could also create barriers for stakeholders without specialized knowledge.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For U.S. farmers and the broader agricultural sector, the legislation presents significant opportunities by creating new markets and revenue streams through the production and supply of feedstocks for sustainable aviation fuels. This could stimulate rural economic development and provide additional incentives for sustainable farming practices.
On the other hand, the technical complexity and lack of clear guidelines might negatively impact stakeholders less familiar with legal and scientific nuances, such as small-scale farmers or new market entrants. Furthermore, the bill may lead to unintended inequities among different agricultural sectors or regions, particularly if support and resources are not distributed equitably.
Overall, while the "Farm to Fly Act of 2025" has the potential to facilitate significant advancements in sustainable energy practices and support national agriculture, careful consideration and refinement may be required to address identified issues and ensure its successful implementation.
Issues
The bill lacks specific budgetary allocations or funding mechanisms for sections related to the Farm to Fly collaboration initiative (Section 4) and the general implementation of sustainable aviation fuels, leading to potential concerns about unanticipated expenditures or wasteful spending.
The definition of 'sustainable aviation fuel' in Section 3 is complex and includes specialized terms and references to ASTM International standards, making it difficult for the average reader to understand without specialized knowledge.
Section 2 and Section 4 use broad and vague terms like 'maximizing effectiveness,' 'improved sustainability,' and 'opportunities to maximize,' which could lead to ambiguity regarding implementation specifics and tracking progress.
The bill does not provide specific oversight or accountability measures for the spending or implementation related to the advancements in sustainable aviation fuels, identified in Sections 3 and 5, raising concerns about potential wasteful spending and lack of accountability.
The section related to definitions (Section 3) requires cross-referencing with other documents, like the Internal Revenue Code, which could complicate understanding and implementation processes.
The bill omits discussion on the potential environmental impacts or necessary regulations regarding the production and use of sustainable aviation fuels in Section 2, which is an oversight given the stated focus on sustainability.
There are no specific metrics or criteria in the bill text, primarily in Sections 2 and 5, for measuring the success of initiatives, such as increasing domestic energy security or supporting rural economic development, which could challenge accountability and effectiveness evaluation.
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The first section of this bill provides its short title, officially naming it the "Farm to Fly Act of 2025."
2. Purposes and findings Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section details the goals and findings of a bill focused on sustainable aviation fuels, highlighting the importance of supporting U.S. agriculture by integrating these fuels into bioenergy programs, enhancing energy security, and forming new market opportunities for farmers through the development of sustainable fuel sources for aviation.
3. Definitions Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The text updates the definition of sustainable aviation fuel in a law, outlining that it must not be made from kerosene or certain non-renewable materials, must meet specific international standards, and must have 50% fewer lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions compared to regular jet fuel. Additionally, it includes definitions of terms like "biomass" and "lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions reduction percentage" used to ensure sustainable production of this fuel.
4. Farm to Fly collaboration initiative Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The Farm to Fly collaboration initiative directs the Secretary of Agriculture to lead efforts within the Department to promote sustainable aviation fuels by identifying opportunities, engaging farmers and foresters, fostering rural economic growth, and enhancing public-private partnerships.
5. Biorefinery, renewable chemical, and biobased product manufacturing assistance Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The amendment to Section 9003 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 focuses on promoting sustainable aviation fuels. It updates the definitions and structure within the section to include sustainable aviation fuel as a key component, aiming to foster its development and use.