Delta Air Lines is backing new bipartisan legislation in Michigan aimed at accelerating the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) while strengthening the state’s agricultural economy and creating opportunities for farmers, reports Biofuels International.
The proposed bills—Senate Bills 235-36, introduced by Senators Sam Singh and Joe Bellino, and House Bills 4424-25, introduced by Representative Jerry Neyer—would establish a tax credit starting in 2026. The credit would provide $1.50 (about €1.30) per gallon for the purchase, production, or blending of SAF. For fuels that offer greater greenhouse gas emission reductions, the credit increases to $2 (€1.80) per gallon. The SAF supported by the legislation would be used on flights departing from Michigan.
Senator Singh highlighted the bipartisan nature of the plan, saying it would make aviation fuel more accessible and affordable while advancing the state’s Clean Energy Future goals. “Decarbonising the aviation sector will not be easy, but we have to start somewhere,” he said. Singh emphasized that working with farmers and producers would both reduce carbon emissions and support Michigan’s economy, reinforcing the state’s role as a leader in environmental protection.
Representative Neyer, chair of the House Agriculture Committee, pointed to changing energy standards and federal policy uncertainty affecting corn and soybean farmers. He said the legislation would encourage private sector investment in SAF production and blending within Michigan, promoting cleaner air and benefiting the agriculture industry simultaneously.
By encouraging the use of Michigan-grown crops like corn and soybeans as feedstocks for sustainable fuel, the bills aim to open new markets for farmers, help revive rural communities, and strengthen the link between agriculture and clean energy innovation.
