FAA given $300m for sustainable projects, opens grant application process

The FAA announced Monday that President Biden has invested nearly $300 million in projects to help reduce carbon emissions from aviation and achieve net-zero by 2050 as part of the President's Investing in America Agenda. The application window for $245 million in SAF infrastructure and $47 million in low-emission aviation technology projects is open. The funding is coming from the Inflation Reduction Act, which is the largest climate investment in history. This act has invested billions in an effort to reduce the American carbon footprint and help the aviation industry achieve net-zero by 2050, part of a larger, global climate goal. "We have a need for speed in this race, and thanks to President Biden's Investing in America agenda, we have more resources than ever before to accelerate this critical work," said Laurence Wildgoose, FAA Assistant Administrator for Policy, International Affairs and Environment. "We look forward to receiving applications that can help accelerate the use of high-integrity SAF and the development of powerful low-emission aviation technologies." The Fueling Aviation's Sustainable Transition-SAF grants have a focus on the production, transportation and blending of sustainable aviation fuel. The projects being funded will build the regional SAF supply chains and increase the use of SAF. The FAST-Tech funds will hasten the aviation technology projects that decrease greenhouse gas emissions. A range of programs are eligible for funding including airports, air carriers, universities, aviation and aerospace communities, nonprofit organizations and state and local government. The grant process opened on Monday and the FAA's target for the first round of grant awards is mid-2024. The U.S. has an Aviation Climate Action Plan which includes a goal to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from U.S. aviation by 2050. The FAA has worked on numerous projects and given funding throughout the country's industry to achieve the goal. The agency has given over $100 million to develop and implement airplane technologies to reduce emissions, fuel and noise. Over $130 million has been invested in university research to improve upon the understanding of the impacts of aviation on the environment. The funding for university research also goes toward finding cost-effective solutions to reduce the impact aviation has on the environment. The FAA is currently using software to allow planes to roll right to the runway and takeoff in order to reduce fuel burn, emissions and taxi time. In a nationwide effort, the FAA granted $327 million to electrify airport gate equipment and vehicles. Airports across the country have been given funding for projects that will mitigate the risk of runway incursions. As the number of incursions and close calls rises, the FAA has made an effort to improve the state of American aviation safety. In May the FAA awarded 12 airports over $100 million and in August the FAA awarded another $121 million to airports across the country as well as called for scheduled runway safety meetings at 90 airports by the end of September. While many airports have been given funding to increase safety, the FAA has also awarded airports funding for sustainability projects.RELATED STORIES:FAA awards another $121m, calls for runway safety meetings to reduce risk of close callsFAA gives $100m to 12 airports to reduce runway incursionsThe FAA awards $92M in 21 airports for sustainable investmentsFAA selects design for sustainable air traffic control towers In June, the FAA invested nearly $92 million at 21 airports for improvements and projects like electric buses, charging stations, electrification studies and solar panels. Funding has also been granted to general aviation airports to aid in the safe transition to unleaded fuel for piston-engine aircraft. In August the FAA announced it had selected a new sustainable design for airport traffic control towers. The new design featured all-electric building systems, renewable mass timber when usable and a thermally efficient façade. Depending on the airport environment, the towers would have ground-source heating or cooling. Building materials used will also be free of chemicals known to pose a health risk. The grant funding applications opened Monday and will close on Nov. 27.