II
117th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 4392
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
June 14, 2022
Ms. Duckworth introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services
A BILL
To require the Secretary of Defense to carry out a pilot program on the use of sustainable aviation fuel by the Department of Defense.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the Reduce Our Military’s Reliance on Foreign Fuel Act
.
Pilot program on use of sustainable aviation fuel
Pilot program required
In general
The Secretary of Defense shall conduct a pilot program on the use of sustainable aviation fuel by the Department of Defense.
Design of program
The pilot program shall be designed to—
identify any logistical challenges with respect to the use of sustainable aviation fuel by the Department;
promote understanding of the technical and performance characteristics of sustainable aviation fuel when used in a military setting; and
engage nearby commercial airports to explore opportunities and challenges to partner on increased use of sustainable aviation fuel.
Selection of facilities
Selection
In general
Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall select not fewer than two geographically diverse facilities of the Department at which to carry out the pilot program.
Onsite refinery
Not fewer than one facility selected under subparagraph (A) shall be a facility with an onsite refinery that is located in proximity to not fewer than one major commercial airport that is also actively seeking to increase the use of sustainable aviation fuel.
Notice to Congress
Upon the selection of each facility under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives notice of the selection, including an identification of the facility selected.
Use of sustainable aviation fuel
Plans
For each facility selected under subsection (b), not later than one year after the selection of the facility, the Secretary shall—
develop a plan on how to implement, by September 30, 2028, a target of exclusively using at the facility aviation fuel that is blended to contain not less than 10 percent sustainable aviation fuel;
submit the plan developed under subparagraph (A) to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives; and
provide to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a briefing on such plan that includes, at a minimum—
a description of any operational, infrastructure, or logistical requirements and recommendations for the blending and use of sustainable aviation fuel; and
a description of any stakeholder engagement in the development of the plan, including any consultations with nearby commercial airport owners or operators.
Implementation of plans
For each facility selected under subsection (b), during the period beginning on a date that is not later than September 30, 2028, and for five years thereafter, the Secretary shall require, in accordance with the respective plan developed under paragraph (1), the exclusive use at the facility of aviation fuel that is blended to contain not less than 10 percent sustainable aviation fuel.
Criteria for sustainable aviation fuel
Sustainable aviation fuel used under the pilot program shall meet the following criteria:
Such fuel shall be produced in the United States from domestic feedstock sources.
Such fuel shall constitute drop-in fuel that meets all specifications and performance requirements of the Department of Defense and the Armed Forces.
Waiver
The Secretary may waive the use of sustainable aviation fuel at a facility under the pilot program if the Secretary—
determines such use is not feasible due to a lack of domestic availability of sustainable aviation fuel or a national security contingency; and
submits to the congressional defense committees notice of such waiver and the reasons for such waiver.
Final report
In general
At the conclusion of the pilot program, the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy, Installations, and Environment shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a final report on the pilot program.
Elements
The report required by paragraph (1) shall include each of the following:
An assessment of the effect of using sustainable aviation fuel on the overall fuel costs of blended fuel.
A description of any operational, infrastructure, or logistical requirements and recommendations for the blending and use of sustainable aviation fuel, with a focus on scaling up adoption of such fuel throughout the Armed Forces.
Recommendations with respect to how military installations can leverage proximity to commercial airports and other jet fuel consumers to increase the rate of use of sustainable aviation fuel, for both military and non-military use, including potential collaboration on innovative financing or purchasing and shared supply chain infrastructure.
A description of the effects on performance and operation of aircraft using sustainable aviation fuel, including—
if used, considerations of various blending ratios and their associated benefits;
efficiency and distance improvements of flights using sustainable aviation fuel;
weight savings on large transportation aircraft and other types of aircraft with using blended fuel with higher concentrations of sustainable aviation fuel;
maintenance benefits of using sustainable aviation fuel, including engine longevity;
the effect of the use of sustainable aviation fuel on emissions and air quality;
the effect of the use of sustainable aviation fuel on the environment and on surrounding communities, including environmental justice factors that are created by the demand for and use of sustainable aviation fuel by the Department of Defense; and
benefits with respect to job creation in the sustainable aviation fuel production and supply chain.
Sustainable aviation fuel defined
In this section, the term sustainable aviation fuel means liquid fuel that—
consists of synthesized hydrocarbon;
meets the requirements of ASTM International Standard D7566 (or successor standard);
is derived from biomass (as such term is defined in section 45K(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986), waste streams, renewable energy sources, or gaseous carbon oxides; and
is not derived from palm fatty acid distillates.