Synthetic Aviation Fuel Grand Challenge

The SAF Grand Challenge is the result of DOE, DOT, and USDA launching a government-wide Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will attempt to reduce the cost, enhance energy security, and expand the production and use of SAF while meeting the following goals:

• A minimum of a 50% reduction in life cycle emissions compared to conventional fuel.
• 3 billion gallons per year of domestic SAF by 2030.
• 35 billion gallons of SAF to satisfy 100% of domestic demand by 2050.

The SAF Grand Challenge and the increased production of SAF will play a critical role in a broader set of actions by the United States government and the private sector to reduce the aviation sector’s emissions in a manner consistent with the DOE goal of reducing emissions for the U.S. economy to enable U.S. energy dominance.

Drop-in synthesized hydrocarbon fuel from waste streams, renewable energy sources, or gaseous carbon oxides—or SAF—will play a critical role in spurring domestic fuel production and securing U.S. energy independence. DOE, DOT, and USDA structured the MOU to ensure the highest level of collaboration and coordination across the agencies to support jobs and the nation's economy.

Through the MOU, interagency partners intend to accelerate the research, development, demonstration, and deployment needed for a government-wide commitment to scale up the production of SAF to at least 35 billion gallons per year by 2050 to satisfy 100% of domestic demand. A near-term goal of 3 billion gallons per year is established as a milestone for 2030.

SAF Grand Challenge Roadmap

To achieve the SAF Grand Challenge goals, the DOE, DOT, and USDA worked with other government agencies; national laboratories, universities, non-governmental organizations; and the aviation, agricultural, and energy industries to develop the SAF Grand Challenge Roadmap: Flight Plan for Synthetic Aviation Fuel.

The roadmap outlines a whole-of-government approach to work with and support industry to meet the goals of the SAF Grand Challenge. These goals include aiming to increase emissions reductions; de-risk technology, supply chains, and markets through demonstration, funding, and policy analysis; and reduce barriers that hinder distribution and end use of SAF.

Read the full roadmap report.

SAF Grand Challenge: October 2021–September 2024 Progress Report

DOE, DOT, and USDA, along with other federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative have made important progress on accelerating acceptance and growth of SAF as a primary strategy in lowering aviation emissions.

The progress made by these federal agencies supporting the SAF Grand Challenge occurs when they release new funding opportunities and initiatives aligned with the SAF Grand Challenge Roadmap; provide expertise and technical assistance to industry; increase interagency collaboration; and provide data, modeling, and analysis to decision makers.

Read the full progress report and fact sheet. 

SAF Grand Challenge Roadmap Implementation Framework

The interagency team released the Synthetic Aviation Fuel Grand Challenge Roadmap Implementation Framework in November 2024, a supplemental document to the roadmap. 

This Framework provides stakeholders and the public insight into the current efforts of federal agencies to implement roadmap actions. It also identifies gaps in current programs and existing barriers to achieving the SAF Grand Challenge goals. Many of these gaps need support from SAF stakeholders to meet these goals. 

Learn more and download the report or overview fact sheet.

SAF Grand Challenge: Tracking Metrics and Mid-2024 Dashboard

The Tracking Metrics and Mid-2024 Dashboard summarizes actions and progress to help drive innovation and expand the production and uses of SAF to achieve the SAF Grand Challenge goals.

SAF production and growth not only powers aircrafts while lowering emissions, it also generates American jobs by boosting domestic manufacturing and economic development in rural and agricultural communities.

To track progress on achieving the SAF Grand Challenge goals, the following four metrics have been developed:

1. Estimated total U.S. SAF production.
2. Estimated life cycle CO₂ equivalent reductions achieved with U.S. SAF production and use.
3. Planned production potential of SAF in the United States.
4. Applicable research, development, demonstration, and deployment projects.

Learn more and download the tracking metrics fact sheet.

SAF Grand Challenge: Building Supply Chains Request for Information Summary Report

BETO released a Summary Report from a September 2023 Request for Information (RFI) seeking public feedback on building supply chains to meet SAF Grand Challenge goals. The RFI was open to the public for two months and collected input and recommendations from industry, academia, national laboratories, government agencies, and other stakeholders needed for making progress towards a secure energy future for the U.S. aviation sector. 

Read the SAF Grand Challenge: Building Supply Chains RFI Summary Report.