Iowa Farmers on Board With Corn-Based Jet Fuel

By Mark Moran

A company working to create sustainable energy sources is investing in corn to make jet fuel, which it said burns far cleaner than the traditional, petroleum-based version.

Some Iowa farmers see it as a market for their crops in addition to the ethanol they already create.

Alyssa Shousse, a corn farmer near Griswold, sees producing jet fuel with her corn as an opportunity to create sustainable energy from her crops beyond ethanol and on a much bigger scale. Jets used nearly 100 billion gallons of fuel last year.

"It's an absolutely insane number," Shousse acknowledged. "If there's a better way that we can break into that market, make it a little bit more renewable, I think any of that is good for making a better impact for the environment."

Supporters want federal lawmakers to create incentives to encourage more sustainable airline fuel production in Iowa and across the U.S., perhaps creating incentives mirroring the support ethanol receives.

Patrick Gruber is CEO of the fuel development firm Gevo, which has facilities in Iowa and is part of the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Coalition. He said it is competitive with traditional jet fuel and far more environmentally friendly.