From Senator Tom Brandt

By Senator Tom Brandt During the legislative interim, senators step back from the rush of floor debate to focus on preparing for the next session—drafting bills, holding interim hearings, and hearing directly from Nebraskans about the issues that matter most. It’s also a chance to attend conferences and explore ideas that could shape our state’s future. A standout event this summer was the Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) Conference at the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum in Ashland, hosted by Renewable Fuels Nebraska, the Nebraska Corn Board, and the Nebraska Farm Bureau. The conference featured a broad mix of perspectives. National organizations such as the SAF Coalition, National Oilseed Producers Association, ADM, Clean Fuels Alliance, Growth Energy, LanzaJet, Tallgrass Energy, United Airlines, and GEVO shared insight on where the industry is headed. Federal agencies including USDA and the Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office outlined current priorities at the national level. Nebraska agriculture was strongly represented as well, with leaders from the Department of Agriculture, Farm Bureau, Corn Growers, and Soybean Association speaking to the opportunities for our farmers. At the conference, it became clear that Nebraska is well-positioned for leadership in this emerging market. Thanks to the Legislature’s 2021 decision allowing ethanol plants to capture and store carbon, our state is further along than many. Combined with our agricultural strengths, transportation infrastructure, rail access, pipelines, and blending terminals, Nebraska is primed for this industry. Industry leaders and policymakers emphasized that while SAF is still early in its development, its growth could mirror or even exceed the ethanol boom. The national SAF market is expected to surge from roughly $2 billion today to well over $25 billion by 2030, offering major opportunities for value-added agriculture, rural investment, and job creation across our state. For Nebraska, the takeaway was clear: we are well-positioned to lead in this new field. With our agricultural strengths, infrastructure, and proactive policies, we have the tools to attract investment and create new opportunities. Sustainable aviation fuel has the potential to be the next chapter in Nebraska’s biofuels story—supporting farmers, strengthening rural communities, and keeping our state at the forefront of innovation. If you have questions or concerns, feel free to contact me or my legislative staff at (402) 471-2711, or tbrandt@leg.ne.gov. You can also stay up to speed on all bills by subscribing to the Unicameral Update by sending an email to uio@leg.ne.gov or calling 402-471-2788. The Unicameral Update is free of charge and is a great resource. Thank you for choosing me to represent you in your Nebraska State Legislature.

Lois Maye Smith Wrigley

Taking Your Medicine

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