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Michigan SAF legislation could boost corn demand and rural economies if passed

The head of Michigan Corn says legislation to support a sustainable aviation fuel industry and rural prosperity in Michigan is in the final approval stages.

“It could really change production for generations if we take advantage of it.”

Scott Piggott tells Brownfield bipartisan, bicameral legislation to create a Sustainable Aviation Fuel Incentive Program passed out of committee at the end of December and is now before the full House.

“Outside of the corn growers wanting to move this legislation, Delta Airlines has been a huge proponent and partner, and they’re not alone,” he says. “Folks like FedEx, others who fly out of the state continuously are all needing to meet this standard.”

Piggott says creating more demand for corn is especially important as farmers face several back-to-back years of low margins.

“This is about an opportunity for our Michigan corn growers to fill a need, but also to help our rural communities get stronger,” he shares. “Those are the things that we’re going to continue to fight for.”

Michigan’s Senate passed companion legislation last June, approving the $2 per gallon tax credit to blend or produce the fuel.

New mandates in the European Union require SAF to be blended into jet fuel, as the airline industry works to cut its carbon emissions in half by 2030.