Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this Minnesota bill is to initiate studies that evaluate the feasibility and cost of producing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) using captured carbon dioxide and green hydrogen. This is aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with traditional aviation fuels.

Main Provisions

• Carbon Capture at Wastewater Facility: The bill requires designing infrastructure to capture carbon dioxide emissions from the incineration of wastewater solids at the Metropolitan Water Resource Recovery Facility in St. Paul.
• Sustainable Aviation Fuel Production Study: It mandates a front-end engineering design study for a facility that will combine carbon dioxide from the water recovery facility with green hydrogen to produce sustainable aviation fuel.
• Reporting Requirements: By June 30, 2029, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's commissioner must report on the costs and outcomes of the study to legislative committees. The report should include:
  • Costs for installing carbon capture technology and transporting captured carbon dioxide.
  • Costs and logistics of producing green hydrogen and sustainable aviation fuel.
  • Employment implications and the potential volume of sustainable aviation fuel production relative to current and projected fuel usage at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• This bill introduces a structured approach to studying sustainable aviation fuel production, which involves capturing carbon dioxide and producing SAF at a metropolitan facility. It doesn't change existing laws but sets a framework for assessing this new technology's viability and cost-effectiveness.

Relevant Terms

sustainable aviation fuel, carbon dioxide capture, green hydrogen, front-end engineering design, greenhouse gas emissions, wastewater sludge incineration, Metropolitan Water Resource Recovery Facility, Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, aviation fuel usage.