U.S. Travel Association Executive Vice President of Public Affairs and Policy Tori Emerson Barnes issued the following statement on President Biden’s Tuesday remarks on lowering energy costs, which touted the need to advance the development, production and distribution of sustainable aviation fuels:

“In recent weeks, global fuel shortages have underscored the growing need for sustainable aviation fuels. To protect the environment and meet the needs of the public, elected officials must reimagine how we travel and prioritize measures to make sustainable aviation fuels a reality.

“U.S. Travel applauds President Biden for identifying the critical need to advance policies and long-term solutions that make travel more sustainable, and for recognizing the opportunity to not just recover from the pandemic, but to rebuild to be stronger than we were before. We do not have to choose between traveling and saving the planet—both are possible if policymakers continue to work with the travel industry to accelerate sustainability.”

U.S. President Joe Biden made a renewed push for new tax credits for sustainable aviation fuel, a key part of reducing carbon emissions from air travel.

Biden last year called for tax incentives for low carbon jet fuel, made from waste and vegetable oils as part of a broader climate and social spending package that is stalled in Congress. The White House is targeting 20% lower aviation emissions by 2030 and those incentives are crucial to making the fuel competitive.