The University of Kentucky Center for Applied Energy Research (CAER) and the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet (EEC) are launching a survey as part of a collaborative Biomass Feedstock for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Project, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s State Energy Program that is administered by EEC.
SAF has become a major push across the globe as part of efforts to render aviation more environmentally friendly. Researchers have created a survey that will assess the risk associated with representative feedstocks that can be used to produce SAF in Kentucky. It can be found online and will be open through Dec. 31.
CAER and EEC request the assistance of any stakeholders dealing with these feedstocks to complete the quantitative and qualitative questionnaire. Stakeholders include producers, handlers, brokers, regulatory bodies and entities providing related goods and services of biomass feedstock.
“This SAF project supports Gov. Beshear’s Energy Strategy, KYE3, through the advancement of energy economic development and increasing fuel diversity, which is central to Kentucky’s Energy Security Plan,” said Kenya Stump, executive director of the Office of Energy Policy. “Aviation has an economic impact surpassing $18 billion in Kentucky, where it serves on average 14.8 million passengers annually and supports 134,000 jobs.”
“Aviation is a major — and growing — industry in the Commonwealth of Kentucky,” said Eduardo Santillan-Jimenez, associate director of CAER’s Sustainable and Alternative Fuels Group. “This study will help Kentucky take an important step towards becoming a SAF producing state.”
