[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz today celebrated the launch of a first-of-its-kind coalition to scale the sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) industry in Minnesota. The Minnesota SAF Hub, a partnership established by Greater MSP, Bank of America, Delta Air Lines, Ecolab, and Xcel Energy, is the first large-scale SAF coalition in the U.S. with collaboration among key players across industries committed to scaling SAF production to replace conventional jet fuel. The State of Minnesota will continue to work with these partners and other leading institutions to decarbonize the airline industry.

“Minnesota has what it takes to lead the sustainable aviation fuel industry,” said Governor Tim Walz. “With this partnership and a nation-leading tax credit, we’re making Minnesota the best state in the nation to produce and blend sustainable aviation fuels – all while creating good-paying jobs and supporting rural communities.”

This multi-year strategy is rooted in commitments to:

• Environmental and water stewardship at all points along the SAF value chain beginning with feedstock – not at the airport – and at every step of the SAF production process.
• Producing affordable, low-carbon SAF by developing an integrated value chain that stretches from production source and processing to refining, blending and use at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport.
• Fostering adoption of innovative solutions and technology breakthroughs to accelerate the SAF transformation journey and scale up commercial progress.
• Supporting university and private-sector research and collaboration to address scientific and technical hurdles associated with the commercially viable production of ultra-low carbon SAF from regenerative agricultural inputs.

Last week, Governor Walz highlighted Minnesota’s efforts to grow the sustainable aviation fuel industry through Minnesota crop-based biofuels. This year, the Governor signed a nation-leading sustainable aviation fuel tax credit into law. The new tax credit, combined with new federal tax breaks, will help grow the emerging sustainable aviation fuel industry in Minnesota.