The FAA has issued a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) of nearly $270 million in supplemental discretionary grants under the Airport Improvement Program, which includes provisions for the promotion of sustainable aviation fuel growth among its priority project categories.
Along with the usual submission categories involving “airfield operational resiliency” such as runway, taxiway, and pavement; airfield drainage; lighting; and safety markings, this latest offering includes the possibility of grants for the onfield processing, storage, and distribution of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) that provides at least a 50 percent reduction in lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions, as determined by the U.S. Secretary of Transportation.
Applications under this category must clearly describe how the project will support the implementation of SAF for distribution into aircraft at the airport. According to the agency, prospective projects may include “on-airport construction or expansion of pipelines, rail lines and spurs, loading and off-loading facilities, blending facilities, and storage tanks.”
Another category of grant submissions deals with the reduction of lead emissions from aviation fuel, with funding available for planning for unleaded aviation fuel infrastructure and to plan for and construct run-up locations to reduce community exposure to emissions from leaded aviation fuel.
The deadline for airport grant submissions is May 2.