Aviation groups urge Congress to fund alternative fuels

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Six aviation organizations recently sent a letter to the leaders of two Congressional committees urging increased funding for the Alternative Fuels for General Aviation program in the final funding allocations for fiscal year 2022.

The Alternative Fuels for General Aviation program provides engineering, technical, and management support for fuel research. It also provides safety certification activities necessary to identify and secure a fleet-wide authorization approval. The purpose is the deployment of unleaded aviation gas consistent with aviation safety.

“We believe the fuels testing program is at a critical juncture, and we request the final conference agreement contain a funding level of $10 million,” the letter said. “The funding level is consistent with the spirit of the recent White House announcement on sustainable aviation fuels, where the work on alternative fuels for general aviation was highlighted. There is still considerable work to be done to address the environmental and regulatory challenges associated with piston aviation fuels, and your support is key to addressing them in a way that does not compromise aviation safety.”

The letter was sent to the leadership of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives’ Appropriations Committee Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies Subcommittee.

Organizations signing the letter include the General Aviation Manufacturers Association.