Secretary of Energy, Senator tour Soperton sustainable aviation fuel plant to open in 2022

SOPERTON, Ga. -- The United States Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm and Senator John Ossoff toured facilities in Georgia that are committed to providing clean energy, including a stop in Soperton.

Officials touredLanzaTech Freedom Pines Biorefinery which is set to open in 2022 and will produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel fuel.

"My vision is Georgia should lead the nation in clean energy and renewable energy technology," stated Ossoff.

He mentions that Georgia already has one of the largest electric vehicle battery production plants in the country as well as the largest solar panel facility in the western hemisphere.

"This new facility will host leading production facilities for sustainable aviation fuel, we have the best airline here in Georgia and now thanks to great innovators and workers here at LanzaTech were leading the world in sustainable aviation fuel," said Ossoff.

Secretary Granholm says that even though this plant has not started operating, they have already made a large dedication to reducing climate pollution.

She says that the global aviation community this week pledged to have their fuel be zero carbon pollution emission by 2050 and now the United States is looking to make a similar commitment.

"The Department of Energy and the Federal Government has just announced a goal to get to 3 billion gallons of sustainable aviation fuel by the year 2030, Lanzatech says they will provide 1 billion of those 3 billion. Can you image 1 billion coming out of the heart of Georgia, it's a huge statement about Georgia's commitment to be a leader," said Granholm.

She says this will create a huge economic opportunity and will provide jobs for not just Georgia but nationally.

Ossoff says in order to make Georgia the national leader in clean energy, it takes great partnerships between the business leaders, legislature, and the Department of Energy.