How this sustainable jet fuel company is charting a new route in the Trump era

"A first-of-its-kind refinery has been in the works for a decade and half. Set to be completed this year, the facility is design to produce climate-friendly jet fuel, a material in increasing demand in response to climate commitments and regulations around the world. The refinery-called the Freedom Pines Fuels-was designed to showcase new methods of producing the fuel, and was receiving government support to help clean up air travel."

"Now, a year behind schedule due to a hurricane and equipment glitches, the project hit another roadblock this summer, when a major shift in U.S. energy policy under the new administration threw a wrench into the business model. It's now a story of a company quickly adapting under pressure, and an illustration of the challenges-and continued opportunity-of clean energy in a more hostile political environment."

"The goal of the company behind the project, Illinois-based LanzaJet, is to produce a close facsimile of the kerosene-based fuel that powers jets and many helicopters and propeller planes today-without using petroleum. Instead, the Freedom Pines Fuels plant in the forest hamlet of Soperton, Georgia, will use ethanol to make what's known as sustainable aviation fuel, or SAF. LanzaJet was ready to start with ethanol made from Brazilian sugarcane, until a new U.S. law forced a quick shift to midwestern corn."

LanzaJet's Freedom Pines Fuels refinery has been planned for roughly fifteen years and is expected to finish this year after a yearlong delay caused by a hurricane and equipment glitches. The plant aims to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from ethanol rather than petroleum, initially sourcing ethanol from Brazilian sugarcane before U.S. law forced a rapid pivot to Midwestern corn. The facility received government support and was designed to demonstrate new production methods. The project illustrates operational and market challenges of clean fuels amid changing U.S. energy policy while preserving opportunities for decarbonizing air travel.

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