Atlanta, GA |
Sustainable aviation fuel — known as SAF — is an alternative jet fuel made from renewable materials, including products that come directly from farms and forests. And for Georgia, a state rich in both, the opportunity to become a national leader in SAF production could be one of the most significant developments in the state’s agricultural and forestry sectors in a generation.
“What I like about it is that there are new crops suitable to Georgia’s climate — drought and heat tolerant — that can be grown. I’ve never heard of some of them, but I like it because those new crops will give our future generations something to grow and farm profitably,” said Tom McCall, President of Georgia Farm Bureau. “And the crops we already grow in Georgia can be used to make sustainable aviation fuel, along with timber.”
The opportunity couldn’t come at a more critical time for Georgia’s forestry industry. Recent pulp mill closures have sharply reduced demand for certain types of wood, while sawmills continue to generate residual material with nowhere to go.
“The practical application for this SAF coalition is to develop a market that can utilize resources that are available today — resources that really weren’t available a year and a half or two years ago in our state,” said Tim Lowrimore of the Georgia Forestry Association.
The Georgia SAF Coalition brings together Georgia Farm Bureau, the Georgia Forestry Association, Delta Air Lines, and the Metro Atlanta Chamber, among others — connecting the state’s raw materials with the research, investment, and demand needed to build an entirely new industry.
“This is a perfect public-private partnership where we’re bringing government, private industry, and expertise to the table to solve a problem that addresses an issue the industry wants to see addressed. But it also supports our forestry industry and agricultural sector in a way that can be game changing and life changing for generations to come,” said Commissioner Tyler Harper.
Lowrimore says the foundation for moving forward is already in place — and that with the right momentum, Georgia could emerge as a national model within five years.
“This is what has to happen — what we’re doing today. The right partners in the room, talking about the pathway forward. Having a major brand like Delta representing the off-take for SAF, leading the way and wanting to partner with the Georgia Forestry Association and Georgia Farm Bureau,” Lowrimore said. “I think within five years, we have the opportunity in Georgia to be a leader for the country in SAF production.”
Georgia House Speaker Jon Burns made clear that state government intends to be a full partner in making that vision a reality.
“I can assure you that the Georgia House and the General Assembly is dedicated to going down this journey with all of you to make sure we are successful — and it’s going to be good for us, good for Georgia, good for America, and good for all of our partners in the years to come,” Burns said.
For Georgia’s farmers and forest landowners, sustainable aviation fuel represents something that has been in short supply lately: a new market, a new crop opportunity, and a reason to look at the land beneath their feet and see the future.