LanzaJet Receives $3 Million Grant

The LanzaJet Freedom Pines Fuels production facility in Soperton has gained national support as the Federal Aviation Administration has awarded the location almost $3.1 million to support and accelerate the development of sustainable aviation fuel in Georgia.

Sustainable aviation fuel is a biofuel that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions up to 85% compared with conventional petroleum-based jet fuel. It was described during a state Senate study committee meeting last week as a new market for Georgia’s timber industry, which is being buffeted by declining prices brought on by the closing of pulp and paper mills. “Sustainable aviation fuel is the best opportunity aviation has to decarbonize,” Lanza-Jet CEO Jimmy Samartzis explained. “Funding like this will continued from page

be instrumental in achieving aviation’s net zero targets while also supporting domestic energy security and economic development by investing in rural communities across the country.”

The facility held its grand opening earlier this year, as it celebrated the creation of the world’s first ethanol-to-sustainable aviation fuel production facility. The fuel produced by LanzaJet in Soperton is used immediately as dropin fuel for existing aircraft in the aviation industry, which contributes 2-3% of all global greenhouse gas emissions from humans.

The technology used at LanzaJet Freedom Pines Fuels is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 70% and is produced from a variety of sustainable feed stocks, such as agricultural waste, municipal solid waste, energy crops, carbon captured from industrial processes, and more.

LanzaJet Freedom Pines Fuels has committed to creating more than 250 jobs and generating an estimated $70 million of economic activity in the local economy over the next 10 years.

This facility was not the only Georgia location to receive a grant for more sustainable aviation fuel, as the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport was given $240,000 to strengthen the regional supply chains and infrastructure needed to utilize sustainable aviation fuel at the airport.

“Georgia should lead the nation in clean energy and renewable energy technology,” U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff said. “LanzaJet and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport are a key part of that effort.”