Chair VanderMeer,
Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony for AB 222. Growth Energy is the world’s
largest association of biofuel producers, representing 97 U.S. plants that produce more than 9.5
billion gallons of renewable fuel annually; 133 businesses associated with the production process;
and tens of thousands of biofuel supporters nationwide. Together, we are working to bring
consumers better and more affordable choices at the fuel pump, improve air quality, and protect
the environment for future generations. We remain committed to helping diversify our country’s
energy portfolio, grow more energy jobs, decarbonize our nation’s energy mix, sustain family
farms, and drive down the costs of transportation fuels for consumers.
Growth Energy strongly advocates for policies supporting sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)
development, which presents an historic opportunity to Wisconsin’s corn farmers and bioethanol
producers, including the five Wisconsin biorefineries that are members of Growth Energy, which
collectively have a production capacity of 341 million gallons of bioethanol.
In 2021, the United States produced approximately 5 million gallons of SAF but incentives like
Sustainable Aviation Fuel Tax Credit Act can help the ethanol industry occupy up to half of the
domestic aviation marketplace. Growth Energy members have committed over 1.1 billion gallons
of ethanol capacity to SAF, more than 650 million gallons of SAF. To achieve these goals, getting
the policies that will spur this investment right is essential.
Growth Energy supports AB 222, which creates a $1.50 per gallon tax credit for the production of
sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in Wisconsin. Legislation like AB 222 allows Wisconsin to become
a leader in SAF production and sales. Additionally, we applaud the bill’s requirement that domestic
crops be used as a feedstock in order to be eligible for the credit.
AB 222 represents an opportunity for Wisconsin farmers and biofuel producers to benefit from
this still-nascent market poised to skyrocket in the coming decades. A study conducted by
Decision Innovation Solutions concluded that to achieve 100% SAF usage by 2050, 63 new
bioethanol plants of 200 million gallons production capacity each will need to be constructed
nationwide. That same study suggested Wisconsin may require an additional 200 million gallons
of ethanol production capacity and a new alcohol-to-jet (the process in which bioethanol is
converted to sustainable aviation fuel) SAF production facilities based on the state’s corn supply.1
1 https://iowarfa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/240112-Iowa-Sustainable-Aviation-Fuel-for-the-Future.pdf
Today, biofuels support more than half a million jobs across the rural bioeconomy. If bioethanol
producers take full advantage of SAF opportunities, that number has the potential to double. AB
222 incentivizes Wisconsin to embrace SAF production and capitalize on the economic and
employment benefits of the growing SAF industry.
We appreciate the opportunity to express our support for AB 222, thank Representative Steffen
and Senator Quinn for introducing the legislation, and respectfully request the committee’s
support for the bill. Additionally, we are available to assist the committee with any technical
questions.
Sincerely,
Chris Bliley
Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs
Growth Energy
September 15, 2025
Honorable Nancy VanderMeer
Chair
Transportation Committee
Wisconsin Assembly
417 North
Madison, WI 53708
RE: AB 222 – Relating to: a sustainable aviation fuel production tax credit.