The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) announced on July 17 that the U.S. production capacity for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) could see a significant increase of 1400% this year, contingent upon all announced capacity additions becoming operational. The actual production of SAF is anticipated to grow by 50% within the same period.
According to a Reuters report, the Biden administration has set ambitious targets for aviation sustainability, aiming to meet all aviation SAF needs by 2050. The administration's goal includes supplying at least 3 billion gallons of SAF annually by 2030. Last year, U.S. aviation consumed approximately 1.6 million barrels per day (bpd) of jet fuel in total, with each barrel containing 42 gallons. This year's SAF output is projected to rise from 2,000 bpd to nearly 30,000 bpd.
Phillips 66’s Rodeo facility in California, led by Vice President Jolie Rhinehart, achieved its target rate of producing 50,000 total bpd last month, which includes 10,000 bpd of SAF—accounting for 20% of its output. Meanwhile, the Valero/Darling Ingredients Diamond Green refinery project in Port Arthur, Texas, is expected to commence production before the end of the year and produce 15,000 bpd of SAF.