The 45Z Clean Fuel Production tax credit was supposed to be implemented this year, but so far the incentive to help make more sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) has yet to even see proposed guidance to make it happen and ethanol producers are looking for answers.

Mark Heckman took part in the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) DC Fly-in last week and 45Z was his main interest, both as an Iowa farmer and Vice President of Sales for Edeniq Inc., a company that quantifies and qualifies the advanced biofuels coming out of the ethanol facilities.

“We need 45Z. We need that pretty clear. We need that certainty so that these facilities can invest in themselves and make the hard decisions that need to be made,” said Heckman. “We need it extended. It can’t be just a three-year time period, which we’re halfway through the first year and if decisions are being made, those decisions that are being made today most of it won’t materialize or manifest until next year. So you really only have a year and a half of credits that you’re going to be able to capture.”

The tax credit is part of the Inflation Reduction Act, which is a Trump Administration target, but some programs and funding are being retained, such as the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) which was released by USDA this week.

In this interview, Heckman also talked about ACE teams bringing the importance of continued strong renewable Volume Obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard.

2025 ACE Fly-in Mark Heckman, Edeniq 9:43

2025 ACE DC Fly-in Photo Album